Obama tours storm-ravaged Alabama, promises support
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U.S. President Barack Obama on Friday flew to Alabama, the hardest-hit state which accounted for about two-thirds of the total fatalities in the devastating storms.
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| U.S. President Barack Obama speaks to the press while he examining damage caused by severe storms and tornadoes in the Tuscaloosa, Alabama April 29, 2011. [Xinhua/Reuters Photo] |
![U.S. President Barack Obama speaks to the press while he examining damage caused by severe storms and tornadoes in the Tuscaloosa, Alabama April 29, 2011. [Xinhua/Reuters Photo]](http://images.china.cn/attachement/jpg/site1007/20110430/00114320def10f25cffb09.jpg "U.S. President Barack Obama speaks to the press while he examining damage caused by severe storms and tornadoes in the Tuscaloosa, Alabama April 29, 2011. [Xinhua/Reuters Photo]")
The president, together with his wife Michelle Obama, arrived at Tuscaloosa, Ala., Friday morning. The city, with a a population of over 90,000, has lost at least 37 lives in the storms and tornadoes that swept through the southern United States this week.
Obama seemed to be shocked by what he had seen when touring the neighborhoods, where trees have fallen everywhere, many homes have been destroyed.
"I've never seen devastation like this," he said.
The severe weather claimed more than 300 lives across the southern states, making it the worst tornado outbreak since 1974 when a super tornado killed 315 people.
In Alabama, where the president has declared a major disaster exists, the confirmed fatalities have reached over 200.
"I just want to make a commitment to the communities here that we are going to do everything we can to help these communities rebuild," said Obama. "We're going to make sure you're not forgotten."
During his tour, Obama had lengthy conversations with Alabama Governor Robert Bentley and Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox. He also spent some time with local families and officials.
"What's amazing is when something like this happens folks forget all their petty differences," said the president. "When we' re confronted by the awesome power of nature and reminded that all we have is each other."
States of emergency have been declared in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Virginia, and governors called out the National Guard to help with rescue and cleanup operations.
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