President Declares Emergency In Alabama, Will Visit On Friday

UPDATE (12:40 pm): President Obama will visit Alabama tomorrow on his way to Cape Canaveral to view some of the damage caused by the tornadoes. He’ll also meet with the Governor of the state, Robert Bentley, as well as other local officials and a few families that were victimized by the storm.

UPDATE (10:47 am): The White House has announced that FEMA Director Craig Fugate meet with Governor Robert Bentley and other officials in Alabama today to discuss the state’s recovery effort. Fugate’s visit comes on the heels of a series of deadly tornadoes, which ripped through the state on Wednesday, killing 128.

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama signed an Emergency Declaration for Alabama late Wednesday night in response to the slew of tornadoes and severe storms that have been ravaging the state.

“I just spoke to Governor Bentley and told him that I have ordered the Federal Government to move quickly in our response,” Obama said in a statement. “Our hearts go out to all those who have been affected by this devastation, and we commend the heroic efforts of those who have been working tirelessly to respond to this disaster.”

The declaration allows Alabama to receive federal aid to help bolster their local response. In addition, it authorizes the Department of Homeland Security and FEMA to coordinate relief efforts.

“Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize, and provide at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency,” a statement from the White House reads. “Emergency protective measures, limited to direct Federal assistance, will be provided at 75 percent Federal funding.”

The Alabama Emergency Management Agency reported early Thursday morning that the severe weather has claimed the lives of at least 128 people.

Over the past few days there have been 164 reports of tornado sightings in the the eastern and southeastern regions of the country. As of Thursday morning, the regional death toll as a result of the tornadoes had reached 210.

Correspondent Geoff Holtzman Contributed To This Report