Tornado Rips Through Enterprise, Alabama

Thursday, March 1, the principal of Enterprise High School faced a daunting decision. Severe storms with tornadic circulations were headed toward the town from the southwest, he had to decide whether to release the students and try to get them home ahead of the storms or protect them to the best of his ability within the school He opted to follow school board policy and sent the students to the hallway to duck-and-cover.

What seemed like hours passed, according to a student interviewed on FOX News, the students relaxed and were talking and laughing. She said that everyone was getting hungry and they were joking about ordering out. Suddenly, the lights went out, and the chatter stopped. Before they knew what happened they could hear the sound of crashing glass and the walls collapsed.

Eight lives were lost. In a live broadcast on FOX News, Alabama's governor Riley visited the high school. He promised the support of the local, state, and federal governments in assisting the families who lost loved ones. He assured the principal that state resources would be available to rebuild the high school, and restore "normalcy" for the students. Originally built in 1957, Enterprise High School is the cities only high school. A new wing had recently been added, but the tornado effectively destroyed the science wing. The block football stadium was also destroyed. The destruction took only seconds.

According to FOX reporters many students returned today to survey the damage, and meet with their classmates. Hugs, tears, and recollections of the horror were shared. Recovery from the horrific experience will likely take months.