Alabama Tornadoes Of 2000 Recalled
Release Date: December 13, 2001
Release Number: R4-01-41
Atlanta, GA -- As residents of 19 Alabama counties emerge today from the wrath of recent tornadoes, residents in five of those counties still have vivid memories of similar deadly destruction from tornadoes that struck 11 counties in the state just before last Christmas.
The extent and severity of the damage resulted in a major disaster declaration by the President. Cherokee, Dale, Etowah, Geneva, Henry, Houston, Jefferson, Limestone, Macon, St. Clair and Tuscaloosa Counties were declared disaster areas. Disaster managers from the Alabama Emergency Management Agency and Federal Emergency Management Agency descended on the area in response to a variety of needs.
The storms of 2000 tore through northwest and southeast sections of the state, resulting in a loss of life and heavy structural destruction. Nearly 600 homes and businesses were estimated to have been damaged, many of which were in Tuscaloosa County. In the end more than $21 million in federal funding was approved for a variety of programs to help Alabamians recover from the storms.
Federal disaster assistance in response to the storm included:
- 296 requests for housing assistance, 127 of which were in Tuscaloosa County.
- $320,642 in federal disaster housing funds approved.
- 152 individual and family grants approved for $771,603 in federal funds.
- 354 U.S. Small Business Administration loans approved for more than $19 million.
- $892,510 in federal funds approved to help eight counties recover from losses to their public facilities such as roads, bridges or public buildings.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 01-Oct-2003 10:51:41