Deadly Storms Damage Ala., Florida

Bill Floyd helps clear the debris of a damaged house in Belleville, Ala., where a tornado also killed one woman. (By Rob Carr -- Associated Press)

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Associated Press
Saturday, January 14, 2006

BAKER, Fla., Jan. 13 -- Severe storms and tornadoes swept across two states Friday, killing a woman in Alabama, damaging dozens of homes, and tearing a section of roof off a Florida school where 13 children were injured, authorities said.

The children at Baker School had minor cuts and bruises, said Ken Wolf, emergency management director for Okaloosa County.

A nearby post office and several mobile homes were also damaged in this Florida Panhandle town, about 50 miles northeast of Pensacola, the National Weather Service reported.

In the small community of Belleville, Ala., at least 18 houses and the fire department building were damaged or destroyed by an apparent tornado, said Bruce Baughman, the state Emergency Management Agency director.

The Conecuh County, Ala., sheriff's office confirmed the death of a woman who was killed in her home by a chimney collapse.

Betty Williams, 58, had just returned from an errand, her daughter, Cynthia Williams, said. She had entered the house, put her purse down and returned to unload the car.

"The wind pushed the chimney down and crushed her. It didn't last but a minute," the daughter said.