SAVING SELMA: Dallas Co. EMA Gives Residents Free NOAA Weather Radios
200 weather radios were given away, giving peace of mind to people in the wake of the January 12 tornado that devastated much of Selma.
Saving Selma
SAVING SELMA: Small Business the Focus of Federal Disaster Recovery after Tornado
The city of Selma continues to pick up the pieces after the devastating tornado that tore a path of destruction through the city back in January.
Selma Continues to Recover 3 Months After the Tornado
From the West Alabama Newsroom-- People in Selma continue to recover from a tornado -- that ripped through the city three months ago -- and destroyed a third of the city. Although progress has…
SBA Now Focused on Effort to Stimulate Selma Economy
From the West Alabama Newsroom-- Federal agencies continue to provide resources in Selma -- to help the city bounce back from the devastation caused by the January 12th tornado. The Small Business Administration hosted…
Project to Rebuild Dallas County Jail Underway
From the West Alabama Newsroom-- The Dallas County Jail was severely damaged by the January 12th tornado. Phase I of the rebuilding project -- is currently underway at the facility. The January 12th…
Non-Profit to Help Bring Affordable Housing to Selma
From the West Alabama Newsroom-- Selma City leaders are partnering with a New York city non-profit to try and bring more affordable housing to the city. The community is still recovering from the devastating…
Deadline to Apply for Disaster Assistance a Week Away
From the West Alabama Newsroom-- The deadline for January 12th storm victims to apply for federal disaster assistance -- is only a week away. FEMA officials say the deadline for people impacted by the…
Selma Historic District Slowly Recovering from Tornado
From the West Alabama Newsroom-- Selma's historic district was one of the areas in the city -- hit hardest by the January 12th tornado. Nevertheless -- the annual event showcasing the area --…
Clean Up Effort in Selma Showing Noticeable Progress
From the West Alabama Newsroom-- The clean up process continues in Selma after the January 12th tornado. It's now about halfway through the 30-day -- 100-percent -- federal cost share period. And some noticeable…
Tornado Damage Won't Stop Bridge Crossing Jubilee
From the West Alabama Newsroom-- The annual Bridge Crossing Jubilee is only a week away -- and organizers say the event will go on -- despite the damage the January 12th tornado caused in…
Tornado Clean Up Process in Selma Gets Major Boost
The process of cleaning up after the January 12th tornado is taking a giant step forward in Selma.
Congresswoman Provides Disaster Recovery Update
From the West Alabama Newsroom-- Congresswoman Terri Sewell held a disaster recovery relief update -- Tuesday at Selma City Hall. Sewell is working with FEMA -- along with state and local officials -- to…
Volunteer Organizations Lead Recovery Efforts in Selma
From the West Alabama Newsroom-- The recovery effort continues in Selma. It's an effort that's been lead in large part -- by volunteer organizations -- like Team Rubicon. Team Rubicon is a volunteer disaster…
Amended Disaster Declaration Helps Clean Up Efforts
From the West Alabama Newsroom-- The effort to clean-up after the January 12th tornado -- just got a big boost from the federal government. Congresswoman Terri Sewell announced that her request for 100% reimbursement…
SBA Disaster Assistance Loans Available for Businesses
From the West Alabama Newsroom-- The Small Business Administration wants to help business owners impacted by the January 12th tornado pick up the pieces after the disaster. Over a hundred businesses in the Selma…
FEMA Disaster Assistance Also Available for Renters
From the West Alabama Newsroom-- Misinformation is causing some tornado victims not to apply -- for the disaster recovery assistance that they need. FEMA officials want to dispel the misconception that the organization only…
Disaster Recovery Center in Selma moves to new location
The new location will be at the Felix Heights Community Center on Medical Center Parkway.
ASU Donates Truck Load of Supplies to Tornado Ravaged Selma
"It is imperative that we provide the citizens of Selma with water, toiletry items, blankets, and other basic essential items," stated State Rep. McClammy.
FEMA & SBA Open Disaster Recovery Centers in Selma
From the West Alabama Newsroom-- Two disaster recovery centers have opened up in Selma to try and help January 12th tornado victims -- get back on their feet. The Small Business Administration -- Business…
Sheriff Gets Help Housing Displaced Dallas Co. Inmates
From the West Alabama Newsroom-- The Dallas County Jail is unusable after being severely damaged by the January 12th tornado. So now what happens to someone arrested for committing a crime? About 130 inmates…
FEMA opens Recovery Centers in Autauga, Dallas and Elmore counties
The centers are open Monday-Sunday, 7 days a week, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT daily
Signs of Progress Beginning to Show in Selma Recovery
From West Alabama Newsroom-- People in Selma are beginning to see -- the start of some progress -- as the process of cleaning up after the recent tornado continues. As city streets reopen to…
Church Volunteers Help Selma Cleanup Storm Damage
Over 600 volunteers with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints from Alabama, Florida, and Georgia were in Selma Saturday helping with tornado cleanup efforts.
Annual Bridge Crossing Jubilee in Selma Will Go On Despite Tornado Damage
Despite the damage from the Jan. 12 tornado in Selma, officials with the Bridge Crossing Jubilee say this year's event will go on as scheduled in early March.
United Way Offices Working to Help Tornado Victims
The River Region United Way, the United Way of Selma & Dallas County, and many others, including WAKA and Winn-Dixie, are working together to bring help to tornado victims in our area.
Tornado Donations Pouring into Prattville to Be Sent to Victims
A third load of donated items will be sent from Prattville to tornado victims in our area.
Attorney General Warns Tornado Victims to Beware of Repair Scams
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall is warning tornado victims to beware of scam artists as they move forward in the recovery process.
FEMA: 900+ People in Autauga, Dallas Counties Have Asked for Tornado Recovery Help
Federal, state and local leaders held a briefing on tornado recovery efforts on Tuesday afternoon in Selma.
NWS: Dallas County Tornado on the Ground for 22 Miles
National Weather Service survey teams are releasing more details about the tornado that hit Dallas County last Thursday.
Classes in Selma City Schools to Be Remote This Week as Tornado Recovery Continues
Students in Selma City Schools will take classes remotely this week due to the devastating tornado that hit the city last Thursday.
President Biden Approves Federal Tornado Aid for Autauga and Dallas Counties
Besides Autauga and Dallas counties, damage assessments are continuing in other areas, and they may be designated for federal assistance.
District Attorney Michael Jackson Rode Out Tornado in Basement of His Selma Home
District Attorney Michael Jackson told WAKA what it was like to ride out the tornado in the basement of his Selma home, which had its roof blown off.
Inmates Moved Out of Tornado-Damaged Dallas County Jail
Dallas County Sheriff Mike Granthum talked with WAKA about the tornado damage at the jail that has forced inmates to be sent to other jails across the state.
Gov. Kay Ivey, Other Leaders Tour Tornado Damage in Dallas and Autauga Counties
Gov. Kay Ivey and other leaders took time Friday to see tornado damage in Dallas and Autauga Counties by air and on the ground.
City of Prattville Offering Drop-Off Location for Tornado Relief Supplies
The city of Prattville is providing a drop-off location for people wanting to donate supplies to help tornado victims throughout the area.
DONATE HERE: WAKA 8 Working with United Way on Tornado Relief
WAKA 8 is working with the United Way to raise money for tornado relief throughout our area.
NWS: Preliminary storm reports released for Dallas and Autauga counties
NWS officials says at least an EF2 tornado hit the Selma area, while at least an EF3 tornado hit the Kingston community in Autauga County.Â
Man Trapped in Car When Tornado Hit Selma
Selma tornado survivors are sharing their stories about where they were when the tornado hit. For one man, he was trapped inside his car.
Selma Tornado Survivors Describe What Happened When Storm Hit
We are getting eyewitness accounts from people in Selma who were in the middle of Thursday's devastating tornado.
PHOTOS: More Images of the Selma Tornado Damage
WAKA 8 has more photos of the aftermath of Thursday's devastating tornado which hit parts of west Selma as well as the downtown area.
Selma, Dallas County Schools Closed Friday for Tornado Damage Inspections
Both Selma City Schools and Dallas County Schools will be closed Friday so that buildings can be checked for structural damage after Thursday's devastating tornado.
Gov. Kay Ivey Declares State of Emergency for Counties Hit by Tornado
Gov. Kay Ivey has issued a state of emergency for six counties that were hit by Thursday's tornadoes.
WATCH: Selma Under Dusk-to-Dawn Curfew after Tornado
The city of Selma is now under a dusk-to-dawn curfew after a tornado hit western and downtown areas of the city.
PHOTOS: Tornado Damage in West Selma
WAKA 8 has new photos of tornado damage from western areas of Selma from Thursday afternoon.
PHOTOS: Tornado Damage in Downtown Selma
WAKA 8 has new photos of tornado damage from downtown Selma on Thursday afternoon.
RAW VIDEO: See Tornado in Selma, Autauga County
WAKA 8 has raw video of the tornado as it approached and moved through Selma, then later as it passed through Autauga County.
