Prattville – A tornado Sunday caused significant damages in Prattville where numerous homes were destroyed, the mayor said.
Mayor Jim Byard said the tornado struck the Overlook area in the city and a search began for any storm victims who may be trapped in the wreckage. Some 9,000 homes and businesses were without power.
Prattville Fire Chief Dallis Johnson said he was not aware of any tornado-related fatalities. He said two people were critically injured and both were taken to a Montgomery hospital.
"It's very possible we may have more injuries," he said, saying some people who were trapped in wreckage have been rescued.
A 35-bed moble hospital unit was set up outside a Kmart to treat victims with minor to moderate injuries so that area hospitals could take those with serious injuries, Dr. Steve Allen said.
Toppled utility poles and storm debris littered the area about five miles off Interstate 65. Glass and windows were blown out of a KFC restaurant.
"You see it on TV. You can't imagine how it feels until it happens to you," said KFC employee Rodrick Alexander. He said there were a few employees and customers inside the KFC when the tornado hit. He said they took shelter in the rear of the building.
Severe thunderstorms packing tornadoes and brief downpours swept the state, damaging homes and businesses in other counties.
The National Weather Service warned of tornado threats and 70 mph winds in areas including near Selma, Andalusia, rural Coosa County as the storm system moved into Georgia.
Two homes were destroyed in Dallas County.
In Escambia County, near the Florida border, two houses were destroyed and trees snapped in half by a possible tornado in the rural Dixie community, the NWS reported. No injuries were immediately reported.
In Covington County, Assistant Emergency Management Agency director Jeremie Shaffer in Andalusia said the storm damaged some structures on the west side of the county and downed some trees on U.S. 29. She said no injuries were reported.
A tornado watch was in effect until 8 p.m. for southeastern Alabama, but the storm stretched from Mobile to Huntsville.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)