ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. – Saturday marks one month since the devastating EF3 tornado touched down in Nash and Edgecombe counties.
On the ground for more than 16 miles, it was the first EF3 tornado ever observed in central North Carolina during the month of July. According to the National Weather Service, 16 people were injured, but no deaths were reported.
Rocky Mount homeowner Janice Davis says that day is still fresh in her mind.
“Every time I sit in this chair now, I can envision what happened,” Davis said.
July 19, 2023, is a day Davis and her husband, Glen, will never forget.
“We’re really strong Christians,” Davis said. “I looked up and the ceiling fan was going and I thought, ‘OK, Lord, we’re coming.’”
She says before she could take shelter, the storm passed. When she went outside, she saw the damage to their property.
“I grew up in Florida on the coast and went through many hurricanes. Never saw what we saw in our backyard,” Davis said.
Janice Davis looks at some of the damaged trees in her yard. (Spectrum News 1/Kyleigh Panetta)
Dozens of pine trees were snapped, their fence was mangled, shutters were missing and windows were cracked.
Now, thinking back to that moment, she’s hit with a wave of emotions.
“We cherish the fact, no matter what the financial damage is or the missing trees, that we’re alive. And the Lord still has a purpose for all of us. And we’re going to go on,” Davis said. “Very unique miracles. We’re really blessed. We know it. Thankful to be alive. Don’t ever, ever want to hear that freight train sound again.”
Recently, a youth group from Erwin Methodist Church spent time helping them clean up. Davis says they did much more than that.
“I lost my joy, and that’s not like me. Their love and graciousness and politeness have healed me from the inside out through all this devastation,” Davis said. “We need hugs. People need hugs through this. You know, total strangers have given me hugs. I break down at Walmart, um, just trying to get necessities and say, ‘I am sorry.’ I just can’t think, you know? And they give me a hug and I felt so much better.”
The Erwin Methodist Church youth group that helped Davis clean up. (Credit: Erin Taylor)
On Aug. 1, Gov. Roy Cooper signed a state disaster declaration for the town of Dortches in Nash County. The declaration makes additional assistance available to the town and expires 60 days after it was issued.
Meanwhile, the United Way Tar River Region says their tornado fund has raised just over $400,000. They tell Spectrum News the application process is open for local citizens to apply for help and begins by either calling 2-1-1 (for a short intake) or by visiting their website to complete details online.
“In summary, across our twin-county region of Rocky Mount/Nash/Edgecombe, we had 119 structures damaged, ranging from minor, to major to destroyed. We have estimated well over 500 individuals within the community were impacted resulting in millions of dollars in damage. Also, over 100 employees at the Pfizer facility also sustained personal property damage,” the United Way Tar River Region said in a report.