Ivey tours Sawyerville tornado damage Friday
READ MORE: Sawyerville tornado survivor: ‘I’m very grateful, even though I lost everything’: Feb. 9, 2022
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey was in West Alabama Friday, witnessing firsthand the devastation caused by an EF2 tornado in Hale County earlier this month.
The small community of Sawyerville was hit by an EF3 tornado less than a year ago, and mother nature hit the area again with an EF2 tornado Feb. 3.
“We know these are serious times,” Ivey said. “We’re here today from my office to listen to the local folks to the citizens here, to hear what you need. We’ll go back to the state and see if there’s anything we can help with as well.”
As reported last week, the Green family in Sawyerville has been working night and day on their own rebuilding process. The help they’re getting from friends and neighbors hasn’t gone unnoticed, Ivey said.
“It’s so important that local folks are helping local folks,” Ivey said. “That’s one of the best things about being here in Alabama is neighbors helping neighbors. That is a close relationship that most states and their people don’t have, but we have it in Alabama and that makes me very proud to be an Alabamian and to be your governor.”
Assistance is on the way for those who lost their homes, she said.
“I was talking to (Alabama Sen. Bobby) Singleton,” Ivery said. “He’s already identified some help to keep folks paying the bills for those who are staying in the motels temporarily. That’s a good start. Stay strong, keep your faith, keep helping one another, and we’ll have to find a way to find some help for all of you”
Shelia Green said she’s thankful for the governor’s visit and said she is certain better days are ahead.
“She gave us hope,” Green said. “We’re going to just keep the faith and hold on. God has the last say-so, even over the governor, and God will prevail. I know He’s going to do it.”
