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DeKalb County EMA officials, local leaders reflect on 10-year tornado anniversary
10 years since EF-5 tornado hit DeKalb County By Stefante Randall | April 26, 2021 at 6:59 PM CDT - Updated April 26 at 6:59 PM
RAINSVILLE, Ala. (WAFF) - Tuesday, April 27 marks the 10-year anniversary of when a deadly EF-5 tornado ripped through DeKalb County.
Rainsville was just one of many cities hit by tornadoes that day.
âOn April 27, 2011, it was a beautiful day just like today and the sun was shining during the middle of the day,â said DeKalb County EMA director Anthony Clifton.
He recalled the day, 10 years ago, when the deadly tornado ripped through the state.
The reminders remain across the landscape in portions of DeKalb County, for those who know where to look.
They also remain on the hearts and minds of those who lost loved ones, neighbors and property to a monster EF5 storm on April 27, 2011.
It was the day of the super outbreak, when multiple tornadoes tore through Alabama, killing 238 people across the state.
In DeKalb County, the tornado hit at about 6:19 p.m. in the Lakeview community northeast of Geraldine. According to the National Weather Service, left the county at 6:56 p.m. roughly 40 minutes that would result in the deaths of 35 people, the destruction of hundreds of homes, and damage to businesses, at least three churches and Plainview High School.
The Fort Payne Board of Education recently approved the purchase of two 2022 Blue Bird Type âDâ passenger T3FE 3909 buses with rooftop air conditioners for $123,520.00 each. The school system is purchasing the school buses through Sourcewell using a pre-approved cooperative purchasing agreement approved by the Alabama State Department of Education, for a total investment of $247,040.00.
The action was taken at the March 26 meeting, which was moved up to an earlier time due to a severe weather threat. Superintendent Jim Cunningham announced he would dismiss school early that day and expressed his appreciation to Anthony Clifton, director of the DeKalb County Emergency Management Agency. There ended up being no damage to school property.
DeKalb County storm shelters ready for Wednesday s severe weather threat
DeKalb County officials are preparing for severe weather Wednesday.
Posted: Mar 16, 2021 6:05 PM
Updated: Mar 16, 2021 10:24 PM
Posted By: Sierra Phillips
On Tuesday, DeKalb County Emergency Management Agency officials spent part of the day making sure that storm shelters are ready for Wednesday.
The EMA director told WAAY 31 that it s important to make sure you have multiple forms of communication, as well as a plan for if things get dangerous.
People in DeKalb County tell us that ahead of Wednesday s potential severe weather, they have the tragedy of April 27, 2011 in the back of their minds. DeKalb County saw the second highest amount of deaths as a result of storms that day.