MOBILE COUNTY, Ala. (WPMI) Governor Robert Bentley was in Mobile County Thursday to see the aftermath of Tuesday's storm.
He was joined by Alabama EMA Director Art Faulkner.
The group started their tour at Murphy High School, one of the hardest hit parts of town. They took a walk through the school's auditorium, where there was significant roof damage.
""You take this school, I think you'll be talking about $10 to $15 million to replace this. This is on the natural historic register and has to be put back together to conform to that register, which actually increases the cost," said Mobile Mayor Sam Jones.
"Hopefully there will be a disaster declaration that will open up federal funding and some things. We haven't heard that's in place yet," said Martha Peek, Superintendent, MCPSS.
Bentley said he was pleased with the massive cleanup effort happening at the school, but said it's too early to tell whether it will receive federal disaster funding, as state EMA officials examine the wreckage in Mobile and six other places statewide.
"But even if we don't get that, we'll try to look for other areas for assistance for the people of Mobile," said Gov. Bentley.
School administrators said the structural damage to the school is worse than what they estimated on Wednesday.
"I love all of the old historic buildings in the state, and Murphy High School is certainly one. It's a shame to see the damage, but the good thing we have to remember is we didn't lose any lives, and we don't have any serious injuries," Bentley said.
The governor said there are certain financial thresholds that have to be met to qualify for an emergency declaration. State EMA officials say they should have numbers compiled by the end of the week.
