HENAGAR — This tiny DeKalb County city took a devastating 1-2 punch last year as tornadoes swept through the area.
Not only were several streets and homes in Henagar damaged by a pair of tornadoes – including an EF-3 – in May 2024, but there was more damage to the roads from heavy trucks removing the debris.
To help alleviate the cost of repairing the streets, Gov. Kay Ivey awarded a $200,000 Community Development Block Grant Urgent Need.
The award will be used to repair all or portions of four streets damaged by a pair of tornadoes that struck Henagar and other parts of DeKalb County on May 8-9, 2024, Ivey said.
In addition to sustaining damage from the EF1 and EF3 tornadoes with winds reaching 140 mph, the city received further damage from heavy truck traffic during the six months it took to remove the debris, according to city officials.
Scheduled to be resurfaced is all of Dr. John Elliot Drive and parts of Lacy Road, Wright Road and Troxel Road.
The Henagar storm had top winds estimated at 140 mph. The tornado was 1.13 miles wide at its peak, according to the National Weather Service. At least seven injuries were blamed on the storm, which was on the ground for more than 12 miles.
“Unfortunately, tornadoes are no strangers to Alabama, but experiencing two tornadoes touching down in the same area within a 24-hour period is extremely rare. While the damage was severe in DeKalb County, I am thankful that there were no fatalities or serious injuries,” Ivey said. “These funds will help Henagar repair 5.2 miles of city streets that were made unsafe by the storms and the subsequent recovery operations.”
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the award from funds made available by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
“ADECA joins Gov. Ivey in support of this project that will make these roads in Henagar safe again for residents, postal carriers, emergency vehicles, school buses, and all who travel on it,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said.
Ivey notified Mayor Lee Davis that the funding had been approved. The city has pledged $55,110 in local funds for the project.
