Experts help Brunswick County residents with tornado recovery process
Families recovering from tornado receive expert help By Russell Clark | March 2, 2021 at 9:41 PM EST - Updated March 2 at 11:58 PM
BRUNSWICK COUNTY, N.C. (WECT) - Piecing back together what’s left of your home after a natural disaster is never easy.
Dozens of families are still recovering from the deadly tornado that touched down two weeks ago in Brunswick County and experts gathered Tuesday to help residents navigate the recovery process.
“Just as soon as you think you’re probably [going to] die, it’s gone probably 10 seconds over your house, then its off,” said Ocean Ridge Plantation resident Dave Powers.
The tornado happening late Monday night into early Tuesday morning. Many Ocean Isle residents were asleep at the time of the storm. It s like bombs went off in some of the houses, one resident recalled.
The tornado killed three people, injured 10 others and flattened dozens of homes. It s something unlike I have ever seen before. A lot of destruction. It s going to be a long recovery process, Brunswick County Sheriff John Ingram said.
National Weather Service said the tornado had estimated winds of 160 miles per hour equivalent to a Catagory 5 storm.
Drone video shows the extent of the damage:
NC Department of Insurance establishes victims assistance center in Brunswick County
NC Department of Insurance establishes victims assistance center in Brunswick County By WECT Staff | February 16, 2021 at 8:49 PM EST - Updated February 17 at 1:09 PM
WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - North Carolina Department Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey will open the emergency command center for tornado victims in Brunswick County Wednesday, February 17 at 9 a.m.
People whose property was affected by Monday night’s tornado will be able to get help at the victims’ assistance center at the Lion’s Paw Clubhouse at 351 Ocean Ridge Parkway SW, Ocean Isle Beach.
Consumer experts will be on hand to assist area residents with concerns regarding damage from the tornado. Staff can help them file an insurance claim or answer their insurance related questions or connect directly with their insurance company.
Governor Roy Cooper spent Wednesday surveying the damage left behind from a deadly EF-3 tornado that ripped through Brunswick County earlier this week.