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BIRMINGHAM, Alabama — Piles of trees, mixed with strips of tin and boards that once were part of houses churned up in the April 27 tornado sit ready for pickup along the curbs in front of Pratt City homes that are still liveable.

Several residents in those homes say the piles are an ugly and annoying reminder of the horror that swept through nearly a month ago.

“It looks like a war hit here, and we’re the only survivors,” said Gywanna Williams, a resident on Lamplighter Circle. “I’m very frustrated.”

Williams sat today in the basement garage of her neighbor Susie Billingsley’s home talking with Pratt City resident Olivia McGaha. Williams and Billingsley are still living in their homes but McGaha is temporarily living somewhere else because her home on nearby Lamplighter Lane was severely damaged.

The three women talked about their love for their neighborhood and the piles of debris in front of their homes.

“It’s frustrating, but not necessarily to the point of blaming (someone),” McGaha said. “I know we’re tired of it.”

Billingsley said she was somewhat frustrated. “I’m trying to be a little patient,” she said.

Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley wasn’t as patient Friday. And he did find someone to blame.

The governor scolded the city of Birmingham at a press conference, saying that city leaders needed to get along, make some decisions, and get the debris removed.

At City Hall both the mayor and City Council have blamed each other for the delay in mobilizing full-time cleanup crews.

“The governor’s comments are on point, and it shows how dysfunctional city government is at this point because of a lack of communication,” said Birmingham City Council President Roderick Royal.

Meanwhile, Mayor William Bell this weekend sent out 55 crews to damaged areas, pleading he was escalating cleanup efforts. Crews were out again on Sunday.

“I want the residents to know I won’t wait on others to move forward,” Bell said in a statement, taking a jab at the council. “This is not about politics; it is about rebuilding our community.”

Pratt City residents on Sunday didn’t point fingers of blame in any particular direction. Most said they understand the sheer size of the cleanup and the time it will take to rebuild their community.

“Everett “Whooleo” Harris, who lives on Closhire Lane in the South Hampton Estates area of Pratt City, was using a pole saw to cut up limbs in his yard on Sunday. Harris said he has seen Birmingham crews out working and isn’t frustrated, despite the pile in front of his house and his neighbor’s homes. “There’s just so much of it,” he said.

McGaha agreed that the city has a huge task. “This is massive,” she said.

McGaha wants to see not just the cleanup of debris piles. She is more interested in seeing work on getting Pratt City rebuilt and the return of its pulse — the people.

“As great as the loss of the homes, you also lost the life of the community; the people you routinely see everyday, the postman, garbagemen, the lawn mowers … kids walking by to catch the (school) bus,” McGaha said.

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