In the late night hours of April 26 and early morning of April 27, strong tornadic winds and heavy rain pelted West Alabama, downing trees, limbs and power lines.
Many people were without elecricity for several hours at a stretch.
The picture to the right was taken early Wednesday morning on Mesopotamia Street in Eutaw, where the power pole was cracked and the lines were completely down. The tree pictured was literally uprooted by the heavy winds.
According to the National Weather Service, wind up to 100 miles per hour kocked out power in approximately 263,000 homes and businesses throughout Alabama, and more severe weather was expected later in the day on Wednesday.
Thursday, however, is expected to be sunny and clear
On April 22, Congresswoman Terri A. Sewell (D-AL) issued the following statement after being notified that Alabama’s request for a major federal disaster declaration was denied by Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate on behalf of President Barack Obama. The federal disaster declaration request was made earlier this week by Governor Bentley, following deadly storms and tornadoes that ripped through the state on April 15.
“I am very disappointed in FEMA’s decision to deny federal disaster assistance to Alabama and to the victims of the deadly storms that ripped through our state last week.
While I greatly appreciate the efforts of FEMA officials currently working in Alabama and assessing the extent of the damage, I had strongly hoped that the federal government would offer assistance to our state and local governments and to the storm’s victims as they grapple with their losses.
“This decision places additional burdens and worries upon already hurting families and ignores the enormous costs to our state and local governments that are already struggling. I commend the efforts of the state and local governments as well as faith-based and non-profit community organizations who quickly mobilized to provide assistance to victims following this tragedy.
“My office will continue to work with state and local officials and non-profit organizations to ensure that we are doing all we can to get people the resources and assistance they need to rebuild their communities after these storms.”