President Donald Trump signed Bibles for survivors of the Alabama tornado that killed 23 people during a visit of the disaster area on Friday.

During his visit five days after the storm hit, Trump met with state and local leaders and assessed the damage for himself in Beauregard. He also met with the families of tornado victims, including Marshall Lynn Grimes, who died alongside his fiance.

Prior to being on the ground, Trump took an aerial tour of the devastation after landing at Fort Benning, Georgia.

“I saw this and it’s hard to believe,” Trump said. “You saw things that you wouldn’t believe.”

After surveying tornado damage with Gov. Kay Ivey, the President's motorcade pulled up to a memorial of 23 crosses in front of Providence Baptist Church. The crosses were constructed and put in place by a volunteer all the way from Illinois.

Trump paused to read the names of the 23 victims, who ranged in age from six to 89, alongside first lady Melania Trump. From there, the president entered the church, which has been operating as a shelter since the storm hit.

Inside the church, clothes, baby wipes and backpacks sat on tables for victims of the storm. A crowd of people, including survivors and volunteers, stood in front of the tables, waiting for Trump to autograph, according to a tweet from Washington Post reporter Josh Dawsey.

Associated Press photographer Carolyn Kaster also captured a close-up image of Trump signing one Bible.

Before and after:Photos show sheer force of deadly Alabama tornado

'A monster' Alabama tornado stretched for nearly a mile – four times wider than your average twister

Volunteer Ada Ingram told reporters that Trump signed several hats and Bibles, including one for a 12-year-old boy, an action which drew applause from people who came to see Trump.

“I enjoyed him coming,” said Ingram, who said she voted for Trump and would again in 2020. “I think it’s a godsend. I’m sorry. The situation is bad. And there are going to be people who will say 'why did he come to my town?' I don’t know why. I don’t why the hurricane happened (either). But there is a reason."

After spending time looking at tornado damage in Alabama, Trump headed to Mar-a-Lago for a Friday night fundraiser.

Nate Chute is a producer with the USA Today Network. Follow him on Twitter at @nchute.