Ocean Ridge Plantation cleans up the scene of a deadly tornado. (Port City Daily photo/Alexandria Sands)
BRUNSWICK COUNTY – After an unexpected and deadly tornado tore through part of Ocean Isle Beach late Monday night, the long road to recovery is just beginning. At least 60 homes were damaged in the storm, with several completely wiped out.
The community is coming together to cater to first responders, extend extra sets of hands and ease the financial burden on those residents impacted. County officials have spoken in recent days of the overwhelming response from organizations and businesses reaching out to help.
Below are a few easy ways to assist.
This will be a long-term event : Three killed, ten injured after EF-3 tornado strikes Brunswick County wbtv.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from wbtv.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
It happened so fast : NC residents got little warning of deadly coastal tornado
Sun News (Myrtle Beach, SC)
Feb. 17 BRUNSWICK COUNTY, N.C.
Christian Perrone was at home with his family before the storm hit.
Leslie Hayes had gotten home from work not long before, and was talking to her daughter on the phone.
Luis Lujano was trying to sleep. The storm woke him up.
Then, with almost no warning, a tornado registering wind gusts of 160 miles per hour touched down nearby, sending trees through the walls of their homes, stripping the siding off of houses and totaling cars. Along
Homeowners look at their Ocean Ridge Plantation home. (Port City Daily photo/Alexandria Sands) Click on the photo to open the gallery.
BRUNSWICK COUNTY – For neighbors of Ocean Ridge Plantation and the surrounding areas, the events of late Monday night are just now beginning to sink in. At least 60 properties were damaged in the EF3 storm that struck southern Brunswick County on Monday right after 11:30 p.m.
According to the
National Weather Service, wind speeds clocked in at 165 mph, as several homes were completely demolished with all four walls ripped away. At one house, all debris was cleared, with only the foundation spared.
Ocean Ridge Plantation was the scene of all three fatalities. The storm wounded 10.
“Our hearts go out to the families of those who’ve lost their lives, to the person who is still in critical condition, others who have been injured,” Cooper said in a press conference following his tour. “And in talking with people who’ve lost their homes but are safe, their priorities are in the right place. People seem to be very thankful that they are alive, even though their homes are damaged and they have a lot to rebuild.”
Ocean Ridge Plantation residents Kathy and Joe Arancio reflect after the tornado. (Port City Daily photo/Alexandria Sands)