Fultondale, Alabama – A tornado that devastated the city at night tore roofs off houses, pulverized walls and spread debris so high that it appeared on the radar.
Elliott Hernandez, 14, is the first confirmed fatality. He was hiding with his family in a basement when the house collapsed. Dozens more were injured.
“We recovered six additional people who were arrested,” said Fultondale Fire Department chief Justin McKenzie.
Kim Turner was with his 2-year-old grandson, Fisher, when he heard the storm intensify.
“The house was shaking, so I took him to the basement,” she said. They were safe just before a tree destroyed their home. She is still thrilled to remember what happened.
Steve and Sue Gambla had even less time to prepare, awake shaken by the tornado that destroyed their hotel.
“We pray and feel the thing, you know, tremble. And my next concern was like, the two floors above us are going to fall on us, ”said Steve Gambla.
The tornado hit an area that was badly damaged by a tornado a decade ago. This tornado hit Alabama from Tuscaloosa north of Jefferson County on April 27, 2011, killing 65 people and injuring 1,500.
“The people of Fultondale suffered a heavy blow last night – I am saddened by the loss of lives, injuries, damaged homes and businesses,” Alabama Governor Kay Ivey tweeted early Tuesday. “I offer my prayers and deepest condolences and promise all the support and resources that our state has to offer. I am with you, Fultondale!”
The same storm that spawned the tornado that tore Alabama passed through the Midwest. He poured a record blizzard into Nebraska and caused state troops to respond to more than 300 climate-related accidents.