Gov. Robert Bentley drove to Hackleburg this morning to announce $15.75 million for the continued rebuilding of several communities, including Tuscaloosa, which were devastated by the tornadoes of April 27, 2011.
Hackleburg in Marion County was perhaps the most thoroughly devastated small town in the state on a day when dozens of communities, from Rainsville to Cullman to Cordova, saw downtowns leveled by an outbreak of 62 separate tornadoes.
The day's deadliest and strongest twister, an EF-5 with winds of 210 mph, first touched down outside Hackleburg, lifting sidewalks into the air, crushing the high school and razing the middle of the town.
Bentley announced that Hackleburg, a town of nearly 1,600 people before the storm, will receive $4.8 million for recovery. That includes $398,921 for street improvements, $200,000 for water facilities, $1.2 million for sewer and sidewalks, $2.1 million for downtown revitalization, $300,000 for the demolished public housing, $350,000 to the Community Action Partnership of North Alabama and a $250,000 loan for economic development. On top of that, Marion County will receive another $300,000 for debris removal.
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[al.com]