Devastation of 2009 storms gone, but not forgotten

On February 28, 2009, scenes like those shown above were common throughout the Salem community after an F-2 tornado struck uprooting trees and demolishing homes, churches, school and businesses. One day later the area was covered in snow storm, complicating the clean-up and recovery efforts. One year later, community leaders and residents look back at what it took to get the community back on its feet.

By: Brittany Whitley Staff Writer | Opelika Auburn News
Published: March 01, 2010

One year ago today, Salem was covered in snow. That was one day after an F-2 tornado struck downtown Salem, turning much of the small community to rubble.
About 20 homes in Salem were either totally destroyed or had major structural damage. The roof, several covered walkways and the heating units at Wacoochee Junior High School were all damaged.
“It took over a million and a half dollars (to repair),” Dr. Stephen Nowlin, superintendent of Lee County Schools, said Sunday. “It took about two-and-half months to get it repaired. We got back in the building with about three weeks to go on the school year.”
Jennifer Ryan, executive director the Lee County Red Cross, said today most of the repairs in Salem are finished.
“Some of the things took a little longer,” Ryan said. “There was a church that needed to be rebuilt.”
Ryan said first responders and the Red Cross were out in the snow a year ago, going door-to-door trying to assist the community. She said the snow didn’t make it easy on those there to help.
“What wasn’t damaged in the first storm (the tornado) we were worried that it would be ruined the next day in the rain and snow,” Ryan said. “It definitely slowed things down a little bit, but we were still out there doing.”
Because of Salem’s small size, the damage caused by the tornado did not qualify it for federal relief dollars. Lee County had to come together to raise funds and rebuild the community, Ryan said.
“The county groups had to step up and meet the needs of their clients,” Ryan said. “It’s just a pocket, it’s a neighborhood basically, and the damage isn’t great enough (to qualify for federal assistance).”
For more information on the Lee County Chapter of the American Red Cross, go to http://www.leeredcross.org/.