Political Quotes

“I want to discuss today the tragedy that has occurred in Alabama and other States across the Southeast as a result of the tornadoes that hit our region in a 24-hour period between 8 a.m. in the morning on April 27 and 8 a.m. in the morning on April 28. The National Weather Service estimates there were a total of 312 tornadoes across the Southeast. The worst outbreak previously reported occurred in April of 1974, and that was with 148 tornadoes. The Birmingham-Tuscaloosa F4 tornado had a path with a maximum width of 1.5 miles and a length, from the Tuscaloosa to Birmingham area, of 80 miles. It stayed on the ground almost continuously--very unusual. It went through a number of populated areas, and that tornado alone resulted in 65 deaths. Alabama's current death toll is nearing 250, with thousands injured. Frankly, after seeing the damage to the affected areas, I am amazed we did not lose more lives. As I talked to mayors and others on the ground, they said the same thing. I talked to Mayor Gunnin in Hackleburg today. I believe he was the one who told me there were about 18 killed, and he was pleased it was that low. They were hammered with an F5, the highest, strongest tornado, which basically destroyed his whole town. All his businesses, including the distribution center for a jeans manufacturing company, have been destroyed. It is very difficult for them to pay for anything.…”