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BOB SCHIEFFER: And good morning, again. The more we know about these tornadoes that roared across the South, the worse the story becomes. As more bodies were found overnight the death toll rose to three hundred and forty-two, two hundred and fifty of them in Alabama alone. That makes this tragedy the worst natural disaster since Katrina, one of the worst weather disasters of all time.
This morning the people of the South will be going to church to mourn their dead but in too many communities there are no places to hold services. The governor of Alabama, Robert Bentley is with us. He's in Rainsville, Alabama this morning. Governor, what is the latest down there?
GOVERNOR ROBERT BENTLEY (R-Alabama): Well, Bob, we-- we're visiting the state. We've had a-- a tragic event here in Alabama. We've had numerous long-track tornados that have crossed the state. We now have two hundred and fifty people dead, confirmed dead in Alabama. We have about a seventeen hundred people who are injured. And we have a number
that are missing. And that number is inexact. But certainly the confirmed dead is two hundred and fifty.
BOB SCHIEFFER: What do you need, governor?
GOVERNOR ROBERT BENTLEY: Well, let me tell you. We have a-- we've had great response first from our first responders. And I-- I would like to say this on air that we have had some of the greatest first responders anyone could have. Those are the people that get to the ground first after something like this happens. Our first responders have done well. We declared a state of
emergency before the first tornado even hit. We called out the National Guard that afternoon. We have spoken with the President, met with the President. They have now declared this a--certainly a nat-- FEMA-disaster area, and the entire state. And they have been very cooperative so when you see local, state and federal people cooperating like this, it really makes a
difference.
BOB SCHIEFFER: And how are the people of Alabama? How-- how are they this morning, governor?
ROBERT BENTLEY: Well, let me tell you, the people of Alabama are very resilient. And we-- we work together all over the state. We have people coming from southern part of the state to the northern part of the state to help out. And everywhere you go, we have volunteers. And we-- we
probably have more volunteers than we actually need. But-- but that's a great sign and what it shows is the people of Alabama care about each other. And that's why I love being the governor of this state because we love each other. And I told the President that the other day.
BOB SCHIEFFER: Well, all right, governor. Well, we want to wish everybody down there the very best. And as they say down there in that part of the country, roll tide. Thank you very much, governor.
ROBERT BENTLEY: Roll tide. Thank you.
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