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NORTHPORT, Alabama — It happens in south Alabama when hurricanes strike, now it’s happened in north Alabama after the disastrous tornadoes: chainsaws are in high demand and dealers and finding it hard to keep them in stock.

The Tuscaloosa News reports that Northport Power Equipment Inc. usually sells about 300 chainsaws in an entire year, but has sold more than 400 in the last week alone.

Chainsaws were in such demand so quickly, Northport Power Equipment reopened Wednesday night, April 27, after the storms hit, according to the Tuscaloosa News report.

Other tornado-related reports from across the state:

Gordo men charged with looting copper from storm-damaged areas: Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Robert Kenneth White, 38, and Brandon Lee Brown, 26, of Gordo, on Wednesday afternoon, the Tuscaloosa News reports. The men are accused of stealing copper in the storm-damaged area of Holt and deputies say they saw the 2 men at the location where the Lucky Dollar once stood on Crescent Ridge Road and First Street East.

‘God was holding us in His hands,’ Hackleburg survivor says: Mary Mann tells the TimesDaily newspaper that as the Hackleburg tornado ripped away part of the roof and walls of her house, she felt the presence of God protecting her and her husband. “It felt like God was holding us in his hand,” she said. 

Paramedic remembered for her kindness, compassion: In Russellville, 47-year-old paramedic Vicki McKee was remembered by her friends and colleagues in emergency services throughout northwest Alabama, the TimesDaily reports. McKee and her niece, Tina Donias, 37, were killed when the EF5 tornado destroyed her manufactured home. McKee worked at Northstar Paramedic Services in Franklin County and flashing emergency lights from motorcycles and ambulances led the way as emergency medical personnel from Franklin, Marion and other areas of northwest Alabama joined a procession from Pinkard Funeral Home in Russellville to Middle Cemetery in Hackleburg.

Etowah County survivor helped her Happy Hollow neighbors: Once Cindy Armstrong knew she was OK, the Gadsden Times reports, she went about checking on her neighbors along  Happy Hollow Road in southeast Etowah County, where she could hear people yelling for help. At least 6 homes were destroyed and several others were heavily damaged, and several of her neighbors were losing blood fast.

Calhoun County clarifies position on need for volunteers: At first Thursday, the Calhoun County EMA announced it didn’t need any more volunteers. Later, however, it clarified that position, saying although officials have what they need for the initial large-scale cleanup, there’s still a need for people willing to give their time and talents, the Anniston Star reports.

Jasper goes ahead with storm cleanup agreement:

The Jasper City Council on Thursday authorized Mayor Sonny Posey to enter into an agreement for the storm debris removal as long as the state is providing 100 percent reimbursement, the Daily Mountain Eagle reports. Thursday’s action rescinds a previous decision to work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on the removal of vegetative debris.

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