MOBILE, Ala. (WPMI) Wednesday marks one year since a tornado touched down in Midtown Mobile which left path of destruction behind it. Fuji San restaurant was one of many businesses and homes affected by the Christmas Day tornadoes. It suffered minor damages in comparison to its neighbor-Cantrells Photography Studio. It was destroyed. It happened quick within 20 seconds its done, said Fuji San Owner Juli Roney.Exactly a year ago tornadoes ripped through midtown on Christmas Day. It took everyone by storm, especially customers enjoying a Christmas dinner at Fuji San at the loop. I looked out you could see sparks flying, debris swirling around. I got everybody together, about 7 customers. I said 'we need to go to the room in the back, everybody get down on the ground', said one employee. Roney added, We all stick together, and its really scary. I never have this experience before.She said, This is the glass. One window glass broken, and the table all turned around and the glass all broke. That's it.Roney said the majority of the damage occurred on the roof and in the front room of the restaurant. She said repairs only cost about $4,000. Yet next door it is a different story. A year later and owners of Cantrells Photography Studio are still picking up the pieces, rebuilding. Roney said it could have been her business. Luckily me Im thinking like that Im so scary and feel oh my God so lucky, said Roney.
