Prichard hit hard by Christmas Day tornado

PRICHARD, Ala. (WALA) -  Parts of the Prichard community woke up Dec. 26 to major damage in their neighborhoods and businesses after a tornado and severe thunderstorms tore through the area Christmas Day.

 Roofs are missing from homes on Chin Street. Windows are bashed in and living rooms are torn apart.

And some said they even caught a glimpse of the violent storm that caused all of this damage.

"My husband was like, ‘Y'all get under the bed!’ So we got under the bed. Everybody was scared; it was like real loud. and when we got up and looked outside we saw everything going that way." said Debra Barker.

Just a few miles away on Telegraph Road, Millers Transporters is slowly getting back to business.

Worker said wind blew storage pods, stacked about three high, about 150f feet and into the maintenance shop. 

The pods weigh close to 9,000 pounds.

"This building has been here since 1968. We've been in business since 78, and it survived Fredrick Ivan an all the other hurricanes. We've never had any significant damage like this from a storm,' said District Operations Manager David

Although some trucks were completely destroyed, some drivers like Tammy Polle are grateful their trucks are ok.

"Any other time, I would have parked by the fence. Thank you Lord, my little truck," said Polle.