Buildings destroyed, injuries reported after possible tornado in Fort Payne, Ala.

photo Storm victim Timothy Ballinger clears debris from his home on Greenvalley Circle in Fort Payne, Ala., on Friday.
photo This boat was blown off its trailer at 80 Greenvalley Cir in Fort Payne. Power crews work to restore service in the background.

FORT PAYNE, Ala. - Strong storms that struck Fort Payne, Ala., overnight didn't surprise some people even though they came after midnight.

Jessica Gray, a 17-year-old who attends Fort Payne High School, said she took shelter in the bathroom in her apartment at Mountain View Apartments after hearing a tornado warning.

A few moments later she heard the winds.

"It was really loud and scary," Jessica said, taking a break this morning from cleaning up debris from the complex grounds.

The storm left the apartment roof leaking and a window shattered as it passed, according to Jessica and her mother, Lisa Holcomb.

Officials say five structures were heavily damaged and many others sustained light to moderate damage. Two people were injured, officials said.

Red Cross and Salvation Army officials were on the scene today helping storm victims.

For complete details, see tomorrow's Chattanooga Times Free Press.

Upcoming Events