Well, I’ve just returned from Palmetto Place having spent time seeing what I can do to help and get residents to sign up for Code Red. We have now had the National Weather Service visit us and they have informed us that it was a straight line wind that hit last night. Whatever you call it, it did some damage!
In day light you can really see the results of the Tornado that hit last night. There are two sides of the coin, thankfully it wasn’t bad enough to overturn homes and no one was injured, that’s the good side. The bad side is that hardily anyone had signed up for Code Red so this was a real wake up call.
Below are just a few photos from there, click on any of them for a larger image.
Picture 1. You can clearly see that the bottom flashing or skirt has been lost, but what isn’t obvious is that this home has been lifted up and put back down again 2 feet further back. It was only the straps that saved it from going over.
Picture 2. To the rear you can see that the AC is now right up against the home and the rear steps have been crushed.
Picture 3. You can see similar damage to this home through the newly ventilated fence.
Today is a big clear up day, with trees down, out buildings gone and even siding hanging in the trees.
On talking to the residents today, they commented that it sounded like a freight train coming through, and everyone I spoke to without exception signed up for Code Red.
If you haven’t signed up yet, don’t hesitate, sign up now, it’ll only take a minute, use the link to the right hand side.
Derek Harrison
CERT Public Relations Officer
11-17-11
15:30 hrs