Alabama's congressional delegation has written a letter to the president supporting the governor's request for an emergency declaration for Alabama. Governor Robert Bentley is seeking the declaration for severe storms, tornadoes and flooding that struck the state this week. The letter urges approval of federal financial support for debris removal and emergency protective measures. Bentley's request noted that at least 19 counties suffered damage and three people died in the severe weather.
Price Gouging
Alabama's price gouging law is in effect. An official with the Alabama Attorney General Office said charging 25 percent or more above the average cost in the same area within the last 30 days is considered unreasonable. Violators can be fined up to $1,000 dollars per offense and up to a year in prison.
More Rain
There's been widespread flooding in the Florida Panhandle and other parts of the Gulf Coast. The National Weather Service says as much as 20 inches of rain has fallen in Pensacola and forecasters expect a few more inches. The storm left people stranded in cars and homes earlier Wednesday morning, and rescue crews couldn't reach many areas. It's the same storm system that killed at least 35 people in tornadoes that spread from Oklahoma to North Carolina earlier this week.
Pretrial Postponed
Court officials have postponed a pretrial hearing to help determine whether a former Gardendale pastor is mentally competent to stand trial in the shootings of his wife and daughter. Al.com reports the hearing for Terry Lee Greer scheduled Wednesday in Jefferson County Circuit Court had to be cancelled because the judge was ill. The judge had planned to hear from a state mental health expert about Greer's competency. Greer is charged with fatally shooting his wife, shooting his 18-year-old daughter and stabbing himself 17 times before police could intervene in January 2013. Greer's attorney has said his client sought treatment for head trauma, depression and psychotic episodes before the incident.