Mobile businesses, homeowners face repairs after tornado

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - Cleanup continued on Friday, Dec. 21, at homes and businesses near the intersection of Union Avenue and Springhill Avenue.

Thursday, Dec 20, an EF-1 tornado tore across the Mobile area. It caused damage to structures around the Mobile area and carried winds up to 110 mph.

Folks near the intersection of Union and Springhill avenues awoke Thursday to howling winds and ripped rooftops. On Friday, they faced the daunting challenge of picking up the pieces.

Just one day ago, Demetrius Anderson’s home housed a family, getting ready for Christmas. Now it's in ruins.

Aside from possibly the refrigerator, there isn't much that can be saved here.

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Anderson said, "Christmas is still there but the kids understand what we went through and they know what we gotta do so if the Lord bless it, we'll make it. We'll be all right."

Along Union Avenue, the power is on and fallen tree limbs have been piled up but there's a mountain of work left to do.

One neighbor said, "I hate to see it like this here. I'm not used to it like this but it wasn't my choice so, I just thank God that all us livin’ through this storm."

Up the road at the BP station, workers carefully took down portions of the blown canopy.

The gas station was open for business and hopes to have gas pumping by day's end.

"Can't complain, we alive!" said gas station manager Sufien Odeh.

Across the street at Nathan's furniture, glass was cleaned up and lost merchandise removed.

A lot of the store was damaged, but most of the furniture in the back came out unscathed. In fact, Nathan's furniture is still open for business.

The store is beat up but it's still standing. And that's how it is along this intersection.

Folks here have a challenging Christmas this year, but thankfully, they're still here