Trump is visiting tornado-ravaged Alabama community

Severe storms left more than 20 people dead across the South. — (Image credit: The Associated Press)

President Trump on Friday will head to Alabama, where a powerful tornado killed 23 people earlier this week. Seven of the victims, in Lee County, were from the same family.

"It's been a tragic situation," Trump said at the White House. "But a lot of good work is being done." The tornado, with winds estimated at up to 170 mph, tore through the rural countryside for nearly a mile on Sunday. Many residents in the area had only about 8 minutes of warning before it struck.

"FEMA has been told directly by me to give the A Plus treatment to the Great State of Alabama and the wonderful people who have been so devastated by the Tornadoes," Trump tweeted Monday. After his visit with victims' relatives, Trump is heading to his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida for a weekend fundraiser.

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Explore More

Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.