MONTGOMERY – Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded a $300,000 grant to the city of Geneva to repair downtown streets and a sidewalk damaged by a tornado in January.
The urgent-need Community Development Block Grant will be used to repair the damage caused by an EF2 tornado that struck downtown Geneva on Jan. 25, 2026. The tornado produced winds that reached 115 mph, according to the National Weather Service. City leaders said damage to the streets and sidewalk is a safety hazard, slowing down emergency response, delaying recovery efforts and creating a danger for pedestrians.
“This tornado that swept through southeast Alabama caused extensive damage in downtown Geneva, creating a potentially dangerous situation for residents,” Gov. Ivey said. “I commend city leaders for their quick action in securing these funds and taking another step toward a full recovery.”
The city plans to make repairs to East Westville Avenue, Greenwood Street, portions of the sidewalk on South Commerce Street and a public parking lot on East Town Avenue. The tornado destroyed a former hotel on South Commerce Street, and bricks falling from the structure caused severe damage to the sidewalk. The damage to the streets was caused both by falling debris and the heavy equipment used to clear the debris. On Greenwood Street, a tree was uprooted, causing asphalt to peel. Powerful winds stripped away the top layer of asphalt in several areas.
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grant from funds made available by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
“When a community faces an emergency scenario like this, we are often able to work with them to deliver urgent-need CDBG funds to assist,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “ADECA is pleased to join Gov. Ivey in offering support to the city during a difficult time.”
Gov. Ivey notified Geneva Mayor David Hayes that the grant had been approved.
ADECA manages a range of programs that support law enforcement, economic development, recreation, energy conservation and water resource management.
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