Project Hopewell helping mend tornado-torn community in southwest Birmingham
Customer talks to Alabama Power lineman Alvin Andrews after storms struck his Birmingham neighborhood Christmas Day 2015. (Wynter Byrd/Alabama NewsCenter)
The first phase of recovery has ended in a southwest Birmingham community, hit hard on Christmas Day by an EF2 tornado. Now the work, led by Project Hopewell LLC, is focused on permanent restoration and assistance for families affected by the storm, leaders say.
“We want to make this community whole again,” says Jefferson County Commissioner Sandra Little Brown. She represents the Hillman community that lies on the western edge Red Mountain Park, nestled between Midfield, Bessemer and Birmingham.
“What happens in the 35221 and 35211 ZIP codes is important to this entire region,” Brown said.
[ Read more on Christmas storms here. ]
More than 70 homes and businesses were damaged or destroyed at about 5 p.m. Christmas Day when winds, reaching an excess of 130 mph, whipped along Jefferson Avenue, Park Avenue and pockets nearby, according to Emergency Management and National Weather Service officials.
Within hours, city crews were out clearing streets, removing debris and helping families.
“In the first phase we were able to look at the basic needs. We wanted to make sure people had tarps so they wouldn’t have additional water damage,” Brown said. “People donated food and clothes. The response has been good.”
Much of the clean-up work in Birmingham has been handled through the Public Works Department.
“We’ve also had volunteers out there working to get debris to the roadside to that it can be picked up,” Roberson said.
COMMUNITY CHALLENGES
Already, about $54,000 has been contributed or pledged to Project Hopewell for the tornado relief effort, Brown said, but more is needed. “We really need to raise about $1 million,” she said. Brown says she is contributing $10,000 in city funds, as is Birmingham Mayor William Bell and Councilman Jay Roberson.
In January, musician Ona Watson organized a concert fundraiser to benefit Project Hopewell at WorkPlay and several leaders have gone on WJLD-AM radio to raise money.
“The funds are needed because many of the people whose homes were damaged did not have homeowners insurance,” Roberson said. “Some of those who have insurance face deductibles of $500, $1,000 or $1,500.” Those amounts can be a burden for families in the middle of a crisis.
Roberson said Project Hopewell has been a blessing, because it is a nonprofit organization serving an immediate need in the community.
“We did not meet the threshold for federal disaster assistance in Jefferson County, but our people still need help,” said Roberson, councilman for District 7, which includes the Hillman community. “The Small Business Association is set up to take applications for loan assistance, but people must be able to qualify for the loans.”
LOOKING AHEAD
Every Thursday afternoon, a group gathers at Hopewell Baptist Church on Jefferson Avenue to discuss strategy and make plans for recovery in the Hillman community.
“The group includes people from different areas — Rev. Melvin Rogers of Hopewell Baptist, the United Way, churches, the mayor’s office, City Councilman Roberson. It will take a lot to make us whole again, and we’re working together,” said Brown, who grew up near the area hit by the storm. “We have people who know about community development, and we have people who really care about this community.”
Plans are in the works for a massive cleanup on Saturday, Feb. 6, Brown said. “We’re expecting about 500 people out here,” Brown said. “We don’t want to just restore this area. We want to restore it and make it better.”
Birmingham Tornado Recovery Facts:
- Small Business Administration Loan Assistance
- Powderly Branch Public Library
- Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- (800) 659-2955
