Gov. Bob Riley and emergency directors are surveying the damage in the city of Enterprise in Coffee County today, where eight Enterprise High School students were killed when a tornado tore into the building, knocking down walls and collapsing a roof onto them as they sought safety in a hallway.

Two others died in the state, one also in Enterprise and one in rural Millers Ferry, where mobile homes were wrecked.

Riley has declared a State of Emergency for the state of Alabama. This declaration makes a provision for the state to receive the necessary state and federal assistance. There are currently shelters open in the area to assist those in need.

“The fatalities and extensive damage related to the tornadoes are a tragedy, and our heart goes out to the families," said Emergency Management Agency Director Bruce Baughman. He said his staff is on the scene assisting those in need.

Riley has requested approximately 100 National Guardsmen to go to Enterprise to assist in tornado recovery efforts. Additional troops are standing by.

The Alabama Department of Emergency Management has a team on the scene, and has deployed a search and rescue team from Dothan. State highway patrol and ambulances are also assisting. Lights and generators have been mobilized and are on the scene