Trump OKs disaster aid for Alabama
President Donald Trump has declared that a major disaster exists in Alabama and ordered federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in Lee County, where a tornado swept through and killed at least 23 people.
In a news release Tuesday, the Trump Administration said assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the disaster.
Damage assessments are continuing and more counties and additional forms of assistance may be designated after those surveys are completed.
The National Weather Service has confirmed at least 20 tornadoes struck across the Southeast.
Reports from the agency’s survey teams say storm systems crossing the region Sunday spun off tornadoes in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and South Carolina.
The Latest: Trump OKs disaster aid for Alabama
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Workers tend to a downed utility pole in a neighborhood devastated by a tornado in Beauregard, Ala., Tuesday, March 5, 2019. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
BEAUREGARD, Ala. (AP) — The Latest on the impact of a tornado in Alabama and Georgia (all times local):
7:30 p.m.
President Donald Trump has declared that a major disaster exists in Alabama and ordered federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in Lee County, where a tornado swept through and killed at least 23 people.
In a news release Tuesday, the Trump Administration said assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the disaster.
Damage assessments are continuing and more counties and additional forms of assistance may be designated after those surveys are completed.
Residents and business owners who sustained losses can begin applying for help by registering online at http://www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362).
The National Weather Service has confirmed at least 20 tornadoes struck across the Southeast during a deadly weekend outbreak.
Reports from the agency’s survey teams say storm systems crossing the region Sunday spun off tornadoes in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina.
The most powerful twister was an EF4 tornado packing 170 mph winds in Lee County, Alabama. The weather service says that tornado crossed into western Georgia and traveled about 70 miles total.
The number of confirmed tornadoes could increase. Survey teams are still assessing storm damage in some areas.
