On Friday afternoon Alabama Lt. Gov. Kay Ivey toured sites in Etowah and DeKalb counties damaged last week by an EF-3 tornado.
Ivey was substituting for Gov. Robert Bentley, who had planned to make the tour but was grounded due to issues with weather. With an escort, Ivey was shown homes and met with people affected by the storm in and around the Smith Institute, Rodentown and Aroney communities.
At a press briefing after her tour, Ivey said it is important for residents to begin applying for individual and public assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Etowah, DeKalb, Tuscaloosa, Blount and Mobile counties were added to a federal disaster declaration following last week’s storms. Ten counties in the state have been approved for disaster assistance through FEMA.
Ivey said that as many as 38 counties statewide were impacted by the storms.
Ivey’s visit was the most recent in a series of tours by public officials at the state and federal level, including local legislators and U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt earlier this week.
Ivey said the response from FEMA has been encouraging not only to state officials but, more importantly, to residents needing aid.