Video: Surveying the Damage in West Alabama

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PICKENS CO., Miss. – (WCBI) People in the Pickens County town of Ethelsville, Alabama fared slightly better than some. There were no serious injuries. The Macedonia Community, located along County Rd. 75, was hit especially hard.

Trees were blown down and  buildings were smashed. Alabama Power crews are busy repairing downed lines Friday morning.

Ethelsville resident Paul Hill and his wife did what they always do when a storm approaches. They headed for their safe place.

“We use it regularly trust me. I just think somebody needs to  start getting aide to people to make them affordable for people that can have them to get in them,” said Paul Hill who was referring to his storm shelter.

From what he tells us, Hill could see the deadly threat approaching.

“Oh it was just like midnight. Dirty our here. I mean it was coming this way it was so black. I mean just, it was, I said I ain’t sitting here looking I’m going under ground,” said Hill.

“That was it we put it in, stayed down and here it come. I mean you could hear it just pounding off the door you know and we knew it was rough.” added Hill.

Hill emerged from the shelter around 3:30 p.m  to find debris and damage, making Hill family grateful for their shelter. Not only is Hill prepared to protect himself from dangerous weather,  he extends an invitation to his neighbors.

“I tell everybody round here I said look if I ain’t around or if i’m around and you feel you want to get in it, its big enough to hold plenty of people,” said Hill.

Hill has had his storm shelter now for the last 10 years.