Alabama, FEMA Leaders Meet to Plan State’s Tornado Recovery

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More than 60 representatives of private, public and nonprofit groups are discussing ways to help Alabama recover from an outbreak of deadly tornadoes that struck April 27.

This week’s meeting was the first meeting of Gov. Robert Bentley’s Long-Term Community Recovery Partnership.

The Alabama Department of Community Affairs and the Federal Emergency Management Agency are leading the effort. The partnership will establish long-term strategies to address rebuilding needs, identify available resources and find ways the public and private sectors can work together.

“We are building a database with current ongoing rebuilding efforts,” said ADECA Director Jim Byard, Jr. “This is to let the governor know the things that strategy groups think are important and to provide assistance to community leaders.”

Participants on Wednesday discussed six areas that must be addressed, including economic development, health and social services, and community planning. Topping the list will be housing.

Jeff Byard, with Alabama EMA, said that 190 displaced families have been housed since the April 27 tornadoes, 55 days after the largest disaster in Alabama’s history.

“The EMA is re-inventing the way we do business,” Byard said. “This is the most complex recovery we face.”

Albie Lewis with FEMA said 64 tornadoes touched down across the state on April 27, damaging thousands of buildings and homes over a wide swath.

Officials said the devastation of the tornadoes caused an estimated $1.5 billion in damages, leaving enough debris to fill the University of Alabama football stadium with a mile-high pile of rubble.

“Where there is challenge, there is opportunity,” Lewis says.

The partnership’s next meeting will be July 7 at the Alabama Center for Commerce in Montgomery.