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Record Details:

Red Cross of Coffee County

Organization: Red Cross
Facility Type: Info/Hotline
Status: Open

Address:
PO Box 310375
711 W Crawford St

Enterprise, AL 36331

Region:Southeast Alabama
County/Parish:Coffee



Main/General Business Number: 334-347-2461 / FAX is: 334-393-6632
Main/General Business E-mail Address: (hidden)
Website: http://www.coffeecountyredcross.org/

Management Contact: (hidden)
Management Phone: (hidden)
Other Contacts:(hidden)







Notes:

GENERAL EMAIL: info@coffeecountyredcross.org
DISASTER SERVICES EMAIL: disasterservices@coffeecountyredcross.org

Monday, March 12

Following the devastation of Thursday’s deadly tornado that
killed nine people and injured at least 120 others in the
Enterprise area, the City of Enterprise is emerging from
perhaps the most catastrophic blow in its history.

As the storm recovery effort intensifies, city officials are
urging local residents be patient as the leaders continue meeting
with federal and state officials to assess damage from the deadly
tornado and to begin restoration efforts in the damaged areas.

"Enterprise has suffered one of the worst natural disasters in
our city’s history," said a somber and visibly shaken Mayor
enneth Boswell. "The loss of human life as a result of this
tornado is a tragedy. Some of our youngest, most vibrant people
lost their lives, and our thoughts and prayers go out to the
families of those who were lost in the tornado."

The storm, labeled as an EF3 by the National Weather Service with
typical winds of up to 165 miles per hour, originated about eight
miles west of Enterprise where it destroyed two homes, severely
damaged several others, and obliterated three chicken houses, all
near a cluster of homes on County Road 610 and overlooking the
airport.

Skipping over the airport, the twister was first reported by police
about 1 p.m. and local emergency systems were activated. However,
within minutes the killer storm had left a deadly legacy in the city.

College Street and Baptist Hill neighborhoods were ravaged, leaving
one senior citizen dead, parts of Enterprise High School in ruins and
eight students dead and scores more buried in the rubble, and homes
built on the western section of Dixie Drive were leveled to their
foundation.

Boswell said it is still too soon after the devastating tornado for
final overall assessments of damage caused by the storm, but city
leaders are working with state and federal emergency agency
officials non-stop. Governor Bob Riley declared Enterprise a
disaster area on Friday and on his visit to the area Saturday,
President George Bush declared Coffee County and Enteprise a
federal disaster area.

As a result, Boswell said any resident seeking assistance needs to
call the Federal Emergency Management Agency at 1-800-621-3362.
FEMA will issue each caller a case number, which they should keep
on file. This will be FEMA's reference number should they provide
the resident assistance.

The Alabama Emergency Management Agency cannot issue vouchers to
residents. The Alabama EMA is working on setting up Disaster Recovery
Centers in the area. These centers are designed to assist affected
residents in contacting FEMA. The DRC personnel can also provide
assistance in completing application forms provided by FEMA. The
public will be notified as these centers become available.

"We do not have everything completed at this point, but we are
working at a feverish pace," Boswell said. "Once we get this
accomplished, we expect funds from the Federal Emergency Management
Agency to begin. I expect it just any day."

Boswell praised the support Enterprise has received from
surrounding communities, and a host of utility repair crews
in their compassion and response to the grave state within
the city following the killer storm. He also asked that
Enteprise citizens be patient during what he called a massive
debris removal and electricity restoration effort.

"I ask the people of Enterprise to be patient with Alabama Power
Company. They have mobilized 300 employees and sub-contractors to
come in and get our utilities restored, and they are working at
maximum capacity," he said.

Boswell said although the storm has passed, dangers still lurk
everywhere and he stressed that safety should be at the forefront
for everyone in the city.

The severity of the storm may have resulted in exposed live electrical
lines and Boswell said although many damaged homes remain standing,
it doesn’t mean they are safe. Following the advice of City Engineer
Stephen McCollough, Boswell is considering having city workers post
warnings recommending that residents refrain from entering these
unsafe dwellings.

"It is their personal property, and they can do what they want to on
it, but we are recommending they stay of these structures," Boswell
said. "I would also ask citizens that if they are clearing debris with
chain saws, to be extra careful around any power lines and to approach
this as if the power was on and the lines charged with electricity.

"Also for safety purposes, if anyone is using generators, plug the
cords straight into the generator and not the power box. Also,
please place the generators in a well-ventilated area. We ask this
so we will not have any more fatalities."

The Enterprise Parks and Recreation Department, in cooperation with
the Coffee County Emergency Management Agency, was assigned to supply
drinking water and tarpaulins. EPRD Director Billy Powell said his
department will be dispersing the items in the parking lot of J.C.
Penney department store near Wal-Mart. In addition, Boswell said the
city is asking for donations of paper lunch sacks, Ziploc sandwich
bags, apples, grapes, canned sodas, Gatorade, and individual-size bags
of potato chips.

"These items will be used to pack lunches for relief workers who cannot
get to distribution centers where meals are served," he said. "All
donations need to be taken to the Recreation Center in Enterprise on
East Lee Street."

Boswell said that although elected city officials and department
heads often will be out in the city during the storm recovery
efforts, city government will continue and all city offices will
be in full operation.

During an emergency staff meeting with all essential personnel, the
department heads reported their crews were working rapidly to ensure
city amenities are restored quickly.

"I would like to thank the people of Enterprise for their absolute
cooperation in keeping off the streets to allow the emergency vehicles,
public works employees and volunteers to come in and do their jobs,
"Boswell added. "And to the citizens of Enterprise, I would ask for
your patience, but know we are working to restore all city services as
fast as possible.

"I would ask the citizens that if they have debris, not to place it
in the road, but beside the curb in the 10-foot easement so the bucket
trucks can pick the debris up," Boswell said.

And I would ask that neighbors help neighbors. If that neighbor
doesn’t need help, go to the next neighbor. Please continue the
common courtesy that we have seen extended to one another thus
far in this city. It shows the Enterpride that Enterprise has.
We will overcome this. Enterprise was great before this happened,
and we will be even better before this is over."

Info Source/Changes:
Resource List for AL - 1687
(see full history)

Created At: Mon Mar 12 21:41:30 +0000 2007
Updated At: Mon Mar 19 21:59:06 +0000 2007
Updated By: LTel


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