TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Tuscaloosa is marking the anniversary of the tornado outbreak that killed more than 50 people in the west Alabama city.

Denny Chimes will ring 53 times Monday afternoon at the University of Alabama to honor each person who died when a massive twister hit on April 27, 2011. More than 5,000 homes and businesses were damaged or destroyed in the city that day.

About 250 people died statewide during the outbreak as dozens of tornadoes swept across Alabama, and some entire cites were nearly leveled.

The coronavirus pandemic is interfering with plans to mark the anniversary elsewhere. An annual memorial event in DeKalb County was called off because of the need to avoid crowds, but flags are being lowered to honor storm victims there.