Infrastructure is defined as: the basic facilities, services, and installations needed for the functioning of a community or society, such as transportation and communications systems, water and power lines, and public institutions including schools, post offices, and prisons. (from American Heritage Dictionary at yahoo)

Public services provided by public utilities include: electricity, natural gas, water and sewage. Garbage pickup and telephone services may also be included.

1. List the infrastructure/public service utilities that were damaged by last week's tornadoes in Tuscaloosa.

2. a) How much does the mayor of Tuscaloosa estimate it will cost just to cleanup the debris in the aftermath of the tornado?
b) Why is Mayor Maddox asking the Army Corps of Engineers to take over to oversee the collection and removal of the rubble created by the tornado?

3. a) Power had been restored to what percent of customers in Alabama by Monday night, 5 days after the tornadoes came through?
b) How many electric workers are working on restoring power across the state? What states have crews come from to assist in restoring power quicker?

4. Why won't garbage pickup be restored to normal for a while?

5. Watch the news videos under "Resources" below. Consider the destruction done by the tornado in Tuscaloosa. Do you think the mayor's idea to ask the Army Corps of Engineers to take over the collection and removal of the rubble is a good idea (even though that means a large portion of the FEMA aid money will be re-directed to the Corps of Engineers)? Explain your answer.