Donors to pay for tornado victims’ funerals
BEAUREGARD, Ala. – Two corporations that declined to be named have pledged to pay for the funerals of the 23 victims of the tornado that tore through central Alabama, Lee County authorities said.
“What a wonderful blessing this will be for the families who have lost loved ones!” the county sheriff’s office said in a Facebook post. “To these corporations we thank you!”
President Donald Trump, who promised that his emergency management team would provide “A Plus treatment to the Great State of Alabama,” said he would visit the area Friday. Details of Trump’s trip were not immediately available, and the White House is generally tight-lipped on such visits for security reasons.
Trump on Tuesday approved Gov. Kay Ivey’s request for a major disaster declaration for the county.
“President Trump has been very gracious and pledged his unwavering support to Alabama since the devastating storms and tornadoes struck Alabama over the weekend,” Ivey said.
Sheriff Jay Jones said the number of people unaccounted for was down to a handful, and he hoped the number would decrease as more of the missing contact friends and family.
The deadly tornado was one of 18 that struck Alabama, Florida, Georgia and South Carolina over the weekend. National Weather Service meteorologist Chris Darden said the tornado that hit Lee County packed 170 mph winds and cut a milewide swath for 70 miles.
County coroner Bill Harris on Tuesday released the names of the victims, including seven who were related through marriage. The victims ranged in age from 6 to around 90. Most of the victims suffered blunt-force trauma, Harris said, and many were thrown or sucked out of their homes.
Jordan Miller, 17, survived the tornado – and his skills with a chain saw helped save several lives. Miller huddled with his friend’s family beneath a mattress inside their double-wide mobile home as the twister roared through. The home was picked up and tossed in the raging wind.
Afterward, he cut two women out of their home with his chain saw.