POWERGRAMS

21 A black and white banner across the Bibb Graves Bridge reads "Wetumpka Strong" — a testament to the city's ongoing recovery from January's EF2 tornado. Across Elmore County, 176 homes, 15 to 20 businesses and at least two churches were destroyed or sustained damage. Survivors like Janice Vance continue to rebuild after having their lives turned upside down. Vance had just returned home from a funeral in Montgomery when she heard tornado sirens outside her house in downtown Wetumpka. She turned on local television to check in on the weather. "They said if you live in Wetumpka, it's too late for you to make it to shelter. About the time they said that, that's when my front windows blew out," Vance said. "I ran to the hallway, trying to get to a closet. I couldn't even close the door. That's when I saw everything flying around here, the roof going off." Vance, her daughter, brother and sister-in-law survived the storm despite significant damage to her home. She said the family will "have to start all over." NEIGHBORS HELPING NEIGHBORS The days after the storm saw thousands of volunteers come out to help — assisting victims as they packed belongings, feeding first responders and removing downed trees and debris. Elmore County Commission Chairman Troy Stubbs said Wetumpka was blessed with assistance from throughout the River Region. First responders from across the Montgomery area answered the call, as did groups like the Salvation Army, churches and organizations. Many helpers came from Maxwell Air Force Base — easily identifiable by their camouflage uniforms. "We have witnessed a community truly coming together. I can't say enough about the fellowship, the relationships that are built in a time like this," Stubbs said. The twister hit close to home for several volunteers, including two Boy Scout and Cub Scout troops whose meeting locations at downtown churches were struck. "I'm so sorry you lost your structure, but you didn't lose anybody's life," Gov. Kay Ivey told the youngsters as she toured Wetumpka two days after the storm. "I'm proud y'all are Scouts and it means a lot. Thank y'all for pitching in and helping out. Not many areas in the United States can boast of neighbors helping neighbors like y'all are doing." COMPANY PRAISED FOR WORK Wetumpka Mayor Jerry Willis thanked the city's first responders for the work they put in after the storm. The Wetumpka Police Department sustained significant damage and five patrol cars were destroyed by the tornado. "It gives us an opportunity now," Willis said. "It gives us an opportunity to do something else. We'll build it back, and it's going to be built probably greater than it ever was. We are excited about that challenge." Willis also praised Alabama Power for quick work done in the face of widespread destruction. "The power company has done an outstanding job. We got basic service back on (the next day) about dark. That's pretty quick to get it back up," CREWS, VOLUNTEERS HELP PUT WETUMPKA ON RECOVERY ROAD A tornado struck Wetumpka on Jan. 19. Gov. Ivey toured town with Mayor Willis. Wetump

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