All 67 counties in Alabama have been under a state of emergency since 7 p.m. Monday, April 28, 2014, due to deadly tornadoes and flooding that followed the next day. The National Weather Service confirmed at least 18 tornadoes occurred in Alabama. Five died in our state: two in Limestone County, two in Baldwin County and one in Tuscaloosa. Tuesday, April 29, brought heavy flooding in Mobile and Baldwin counties. Thirty-one counties reported damage from the two days of storms.
Initial State of Emergency Declaration
Federal Disaster Declaration (May 2, 2014)
Second Federal Disaster Declaration (May 8, 2014)
Federal Aid for Alabama Climbs to $34.5 Million (July 7, 2014)
FEMA information on April 28/29 storms
Federal assistance was available for Baldwin, Blount, DeKalb, Etowah, Jefferson, Lee, Limestone, Mobile and Tuscaloosa counties through July 1. Individuals and business owners who sustained losses in those nine counties could have applied for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. or by using web-enabled mobile devices to visit m.fema.gov.
When Alabama experiences a state of emergency, the state’s price gouging law is in effect.
ALABAMA’S PRICE GOUGING LAW: Makes it unlawful for anyone to raise prices on commodities or lodging by more than 25 percent during the declared state of emergency. To avoid violating Alabama’s price gouging law, figure the price charged for each of the previous 30 days. Add the 30 daily prices, divide by 30, and multiply the price by .25, or 25 percent, to figure the maximum price increase allowed for any one day. The exception is if a wholesale price increases by more than 25 percent and merchants have no choice but to pass along the price increase.
The fine for violating Alabama’s price gouging law can be up to $1,000 per incident. Those who willfully and continually violate the law can be banned from doing business in Alabama.
EMERGENCY NUMBERS:
- For medical and life-threatening emergencies, dial 9-1-1.
- Drivers can report an accident or other emergencies to state troopers by dialing *HP on their cellular devices.
- Businesses that want to know how to help or donate to relief efforts, call 2-1-1.
Visit Alabama Retail’s Emergency Preparedness page for other links to the state’s emergency management resources.
Governor’s news release on the emergency declaration
Governor’s Tuesday, April 29, news conference
Last updated Tuesday, July 14, 2014