By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
For most Alabamians Christmas 2012 began around the Christmas tree exchanging presents and creating memories. For many Alabamians, Christmas 2012 also included huddling around their basement or safe rooms praying that the severe weather passes them by. For some, Alabamians Christmas Day 2012 ended with them surveying the damage. Tornadoes touched down in several places in the state including downtown Mobile, Pritchard, and near the airport in Troy.
Alabama Governor Robert Bentley (R) said that the system that went through Alabama, “has caused significant damage in several areas.” Bentley said, “First responders are doing a tremendous job helping people in areas impacted by the storms, and those efforts will continue.”
The Governor said, “We are currently assessing damage in various communities, and we will use all available resources to help communities in any way we can.” “I also want to offer my prayers for everyone impacted by these storms. We will work on the state level to do everything we can to help communities across the state. The people of Alabama are strong. We will recover together.”
Tornadoes and severe weather are an ever present danger of living in the state of Alabama. Almost all of us have seen our communities impacted by tornado touchdowns and many have lost friends and loved ones to the destructive weather that can happen in any month of the year.
Three people have been reported dead thus far as a result of the severe weather that swept across the Southeast on Tuesday. Some people were reportedly trapped in the rubble of the Brantley Trailer Park in Troy. The Mobile Press Register is reporting that Trinity Episcopal Church in Mobile has been destroyed by a tornado. The historic church on Dauphin Street was built in 1845. The Mobile Infirmary Medical Center was also struck. The Mobile Press Register is reporting that no patients were injured. Mobile’s Murphy High School also received damage. Mobile was also impacted by a tornado touchdown on December 20.
More people in Alabama have been killed by tornadoes in Alabama than in any other State. The worst wave of tornadoes to strike the state hit on April 27th, 2011. Many Alabamians are still in the process of recovering from that storm.
