Tornado-Ravaged Ala. Town Outlaws FEMA Trailers

A central Alabama town won't let residents left homeless by tornadoes occupy temporary housing trailers provided by FEMA, a decision that has sparked outrage. Cordova, located about 35 miles northwest of Birmingham, got hit by a pair of powerful tornadoes on April 27, the day twisters killed more than 300 people across the Southeast. Residents thought they'd be able to set up in the FEMA trailers, but the city isn't budging on a law that forbids single-wide trailers.

"People have to live somewhere. What's it matter if it's in a trailer?" asked one resident. But Mayor Jack Scott said he doesn't want run-down mobile homes parked all over town years from now. "I don't feel guilty," he said. "I can look anyone in the eye." About 200 angry residents packed a city meeting last week and circulated petitions to remove the mayor from office. (More FEMA stories.)