Alabama tornadoes damage state poultry processing industry
The tornadoes that devastated the southeast this week heavily damaged the Alabama poultry industry as well. State officials estimate that 25 percent of the state's poultry houses have been destroyed or damaged, killing an estimated 5 million birds, reports the Wall Street Journal.
An estimated 200 poultry houses were destroyed, and another 180 were damaged by the winds. Many roads are still inaccessible, making it difficult for the state to assess all the damage. Industry officials caution that Alabama's bird losses could swell if many farmers aren't able to quickly re-establish water supplies. The tornadoes damaged many rural water systems.