Raleigh North Carolina News

Sunday, July 23, 2023 10:03PM ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. (WTVD) — An EF-3 tornado did a lot of damage during its 33 minutes on the ground in Nash and Edgecombe counties Wednesday. Days later, a Sunday service, led by Pastor Kim Evans at Rocky Mount’s Greater Joy Church, is a haven for her congregation–especially for those whose jobs inside the storm-torn Pfizer facility had them uncomfortably close to the destruction. “It didn’t touch any building that…

BATTLEBORO, N.C. — Volunteers from across the state and region are helping the communities of Nash and Edgecombe counties recover from the damage caused by a tornado on Saturday afternoon. James Powell’s home was one of many that was damaged by a tornado that struck Battleboro, on Wednesday. Powell, who has lived in his home since 2007, said that he was “knocked to the floor” when a tree crashed through his house. “I had to…

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — Sunday, Gov. Cooper will be visiting areas damaged by an EF-3 tornado that passed through Nash and Edgecombe counties. His visit comes after the large tornado that traveled 16.5 miles and had a maximum width of 600 yards injured 16 people and caused extensive damage to homes and buildings. ALSO SEE: ‘It looked like the Wizard of Oz’: Edgecombe County picks up pieces after tornado According to the National Weather Service,…

Saturday, July 22, 2023 2:46PM DORTCHES, N.C. (WTVD) — Cleanup efforts continue in Nash and Edgecombe counties this morning after an EF-3 tornado touched down this week. The powerful twister destroyed homes, cars and businesses. In Dortches, Baptist on Mission Disaster Relief continued cleanup efforts. Tom Beam, who is with the organization, said people were eager to help those in need. “We have volunteers all across North Carolina but in these specific areas we just…

Saturday, July 22, 2023 3:37AM EDGECOMBE COUNTY, N.C. (WTVD) — Dave Powell didn’t even have the chance to get scared during Wednesday’s tornado. “It didn’t take but three minutes,” he said. The destruction is still hard to fathom at his yellow home of more than 40 years on Morning Star Church Road in Edgecombe County. The tornado tore most of his roof off and sent it flying. It also blew out car windows and ripped…

Saturday, July 22, 2023 3:34AM RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — “It kind of all happened at one time,” said Natasha Withers as she recalled the moments 12 years ago when a tornado destroyed her home and community. She was out to eat when the storm struck her McKinely Mill subdivision in North Raleigh. She came home to destruction. “I was like, ‘Am I really seeing what I think I’m seeing?’” she said. “So we had left…

Rebuilding from the tornado damage is expected to take months, even longer for some homeowners in Nash and Edgecombe Counties depending on the type of insurance coverage, if they have any at all. For one couple, Mike Poythress and Deborah Moore their home was destroyed by the tornado and they say starting over doesn’t seem possible. Poythress says, “I’m 67 years old, she’s 65, and we’re both living on social security. Nobody ever expects to…

DORTCHES, N.C. — A Navy veteran, his wife and their dog, Sabot, are battered and bruised, but alive. Michael Poythress and Debbie Moore took refuge Wednesday in the bathtub of their Puckett Mobile Home Park in Dortches. The EF3 tornado sent the three of them flying. On Friday, the couple was released from the hospital. Poythress and Moore’s roof came off Wednesday, the tornado blew them away, and they were buried under remnants of the…

Friday, July 21, 2023 8:23PM ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. (WTVD) — More than 60 children ducked for cover as the EF-3 tornado in Nash County nearly destroyed their daycare. St. Stephen’s Loving Daycare Center in Rocky Mount sustained damage to a few windows, lost a bevy of trees and will have to completely replace its playground. But amazingly, the tornado skirted around the daycare building filled with 67 children from infants to 12-year-olds. Owner Carolyn Slade…

DORTCHES, N.C. — A Navy veteran, his wife and their dog Sabot are battered and bruised, but alive. Michael Poythress and Debbie Moore took refuge Wednesday in the bathtub of their Puckett Mobile Home Park in Dortches. The EF3 tornado sent the three of them flying. On Friday, the couple was released from the hospital. Poythress and Moore’s roof came off Wednesday, the tornado blew them away and they were buried under remnants of their…

EDGECOMBE COUNTY, N.C. — Recovery efforts continued in Nash and Edgecombe Counties on Thursday night following the devastating EF-3 tornado that touched down on Wednesday afternoon. With estimated wind speeds of up to 150 miles per hour, the tornado caused significant damage to homes, businesses, and infrastructure. In Nash County, the tornado touched down near the town of Dortches and tracked northeast for 16.5 miles. The path of destruction included the Belmont Lake Golf Course,…

ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. — The CEO of Pfizer announced Friday the company is planning to pay all employees during the closure of the Rocky Mount plant devastated by Wednesday’s EF-3 tornado. The company has set up assistance programs for wellness and disaster recovery. Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla visited the plant Friday at 4285 N Wesleyan Blvd. in Rocky Mount. “We are very inspired to see how this community is pulling together,” Bourla said. “I spoke…

Friday, July 21, 2023 2:54PM NORTH CAROLINA — As people impacted by Wednesday’s tornado in Nash County, people and some businesses are doing their part to help. Friday, Food Lion announced they’re one of those businesses trying to make it a little easier for its neighbors and consumers in parts of Nash County. The grocery store chain is giving away free water and a $20 gift card as a part of responding to the increase…