Declarations

Friend and Colleague

“We are devastated that all hope is lost, but we also find a sense of closure in knowing that we can lay to rest our dear friend and colleague with the dignity and respect she deserves.”

—Chrissy Pearson, public information officer with the North Carolina Department of Insurance, commenting on the discovery of a state insurance examiner’s body in the woods of South Carolina. Authorities charged Michael Howell, 40, a North Carolina insurance agent, with first-degree murder in her death.

Higher Limits

“You certainly can’t buy a new car for $10,000 today. Changes are long overdue to protect motorists who are hit in traffic accidents.”

—Alabama Sen. Roger Bedford, D-Russellville, commenting on legislation he sponsored that would raise Alabama’s minimum limits for mandatory auto liability insurance from $20,000 to $25,000 for a single injury or death; $40,000 to $50,000 for multiple injuries or deaths; and $10,000 to $25,000 for property damage.

Lucky Fall

“Normally, when the river gets as high as it has, it doesn’t fall this fast. We have been extremely lucky.”

—Robert Simrall, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers chief of water control in the Vicksburg district, said as Mississippi flood waters rapidly receded after the river crested at nearly 10 feet above flood stage. More than 800,000 acres were under several feet of water for more than a month after heavy rains in the Ohio and Arkansas River valleys started a steady climb of flood waters in the Mississippi Delta.

Back to Normal

“The evaluations of the damage assessment teams are important to the recovery of communities that have suffered damage and to help people start to get their lives back to normal. I remind everyone to be cautious and not put themselves or others at risk by avoiding downed power lines, flooded roads, rain-swollen waterways and other areas of potential danger.”

—North Carolina Gov. Michael Easley commenting after 16 tornadoes moved through the eastern part of the state on May 11.

No Second Chances

“From the time the decision is made to reverse traffic, we have about 36 hours to get people evacuated. We don’t get second chances. People’s lives depend on your decisions.”

—Alabama Gov. Bob Riley on the state’s plan to make all lanes of traffic on Interstate 65 flow north in order to help speed evacuation from the state’s coast in the event of disaster. Officials conducted a mock reversal of traffic on I-65 from Mobile to Montgomery in mid-May.