Christmas Day tornado damages midtown

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - Midtown Mobile sustained damage and power outages after a tornado touched down Christmas Day.

Police said there was a bad gas leak behind Advance Auto Parts, and they were keeping people away from the area.

A car was overturned on a tow truck being pulled away, apparent storm damage.

Blue lights and police cars covered Government Street.

People who live in the area said they heard the tornado coming. Some said they even walked out, saw a green color and walked back inside.

Photos: Tornado touches down Christmas Day

"Got my some friends of mine, and friends that live next door, we stepped out and you could see it forming, doing it's thing. Then it came behind the church... and then all green fluorescent lighting and it was popping transformers left and right. We heard the crashing and everything and the power went out," said one witness.

After it hit, they ventured back outside and saw the damage.  They were not hurt. 

"I prayed to God as loud as I could... I was just praying for my safety. I knew the truck was shaking. I just prayed that the truck stayed put and that God would protect me and the people in Walgreens," said another witness.

The heaviest damage appeared to be to the Advance Auto Parts building, which looked like it sustained roof damage and windows are knocked out. 

There were tree branches, wood, and glass throughout the area, but police were helping to move traffic down Government