Update from District Governor Sam Adams
Final Regularly Scheduled Emergency Rotary Relief Report
Recovery Phase has begun in Lee County as the disaster response moves to new stage.
Gov. Kay Ivey was the keynote speaker during her visit to the ravaged community but it was Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones who delivered the keynote message:
“We’re pretty satisfied with our search effort to this point,” Jones said. “This will open up the recovery phase.”
Update from District Governor Sam Adams
Final Regularly Scheduled Emergency Rotary Relief Report
Recovery Phase has begun in Lee County as the disaster response moves to new stage.
Gov. Kay Ivey was the keynote speaker during her visit to the ravaged community but it was Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones who delivered the keynote message:
“We’re pretty satisfied with our search effort to this point,” Jones said. “This will open up the recovery phase.”
Ivey, Jones and other EMA officials joined in a Wednesday afternoon press conference in the Beauregard High School library that now doubles as the command center for tornado response efforts.
Hundreds of first-responders, leaders, local volunteers and media key to important roles that were kicked into action by Sunday’s killer storm are getting their direction from decisions made here in what is normally a quiet library setting. It is also the site where Ivey officially signed off on federal paperwork declaring Lee County a federal disaster area.
Ivey completed her tour of tornado-ravaged eastern Lee County, calling it the worst devastation she has seen during her time in office. Ivey, composed but clearly shaken, Ivey explained,
“Absolutely horrendous, It’s just a wonder more people weren’t killed…The devastation to the land, homes……everything is in shreds. That means the hopes and aspirations of so many are in shreds.”
Ivey extended her sympathy to Brook Waldrop, who lost her stepfather and fiancee in the storm.
Ivey praised the work of local officials and the many offerings of help from around the state and nation. President Trump plans to tour the area on Friday, after he declared it a disaster area earlier in the week.
Alabama EMA Director Brian Hastings also praised Lee County EMA and other officials in the role they play, and he warned that recovery will be a long process. He described the process going forward, “People have lost everything. We use the term picking up pieces, they are picking up pieces….They call it long-term recovery because it takes an awfully long time.”
Federal and state aid will be coming to help survivors deal with the aftermath, and details of that will be shared as it becomes available.
Meanwhile, many areas in the EF-4, 170-mph tornado’s path are leveled, with trees, homes and everything reduced to pieces. Clean-up will require a major effort involving a multitude of agencies, including Alabama Power Company.
Mike Jordan, with Alabama Power said that almost 700 APC or contracted personnel were already involved in Lee County tornado-impact restoration efforts, with at least 116 residencies still without power because of hazardous conditions, or, because they were destroyed.
He went on to say approximately 140 utility poles and 226 spans of wire also came down, in addition to large transmission structures that must be replaced.
Officials will hold another update press conference at 10 a.m.CST this morning, and more volunteers are expected to sign up at the volunteer registration center at Smiths Station Baptist Church.
Volunteers with all types of skills or abilities are needed for recovery work in both Smiths Station and Beauregard. All volunteers must first register before they will be allowed in the worst-affected areas of destruction.
If you feel so led, you can send your tax deductible contribution to the attention of PDG Linda Mong who manages the account at the following address:
Send your check made payable to Rotary District 6880 Foundation to:
Rotary District 6880 Foundation
c/o PDG Linda Mong / BancorpSouth
30585 State Hwy 225
Spanish Fort, AL 36527
Other updates will be provided on an as needed basis, including the President’s visit tomorrow. If you or your club would like to volunteer on site, please contact
Jericho Wilson P of the Opelika Happy Hour RC and schedule your visit through him. Contact info: 334-707-2486 or email : jerichorw@gmail.com
Please keep the people of Lee County in your thoughts and prayers.