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In Lucama, North Carolina, tornadoes triggered by Tropical Storm Debby caused extensive damage, including the destruction of residential property and significant impact on a local school. Genesis Cooper, a resident of Lucama, which is about 25 miles from Raleigh, experienced the terror of the storm firsthand. His home was severely damaged in a matter of seconds by a tornado. He recounted the ordeal, noting the intense vibrations and disruption of the surroundings as they sought refuge in the bathtub.
“The experience was indescribable, full of intense emotions,” Cooper said. “It felt like everything around us was going to explode.”
This tornado was the most destructive of the three reported in the state that night. Tragically, one individual was confirmed deceased in a home struck by the tornado in Lucama, Wilson County Sheriff Stephen Mann reported, although no specific details about the victim were released.
The damage to Cooper’s home was extensive, with significant portions of the roof and walls torn off and windows shattered. Despite the devastation, Cooper remained philosophical, attributing his calm to faith. “These are just material possessions; they can be replaced,” he said.
The local school district also reported severe damage to Springfield Middle School. Aerial drone footage showed significant structural damage, including exposed beams and damaged utility lines, with debris scattered across the surrounding grass.
As Debby continued its path, other regions were put on alert with tornado warnings in effect in North Carolina and Virginia. The storm also affected a power plant near Fayetteville, North Carolina, prompting evacuations, though no injuries or structural damage were reported.
Governor Roy Cooper announced the mobilization of additional troops and National Guard resources to assist with flood response efforts. In the town of Bladenboro, emergency services worked to manage the aftermath, which included a police car struck by a fallen tree and flooded streets.
Bladenboro residents were seen filling sandbags as floodwaters rose to significant levels, transforming the landscape overnight. The city braced for more rain as Debby moved through the area.
Debby, initially a Category 1 hurricane in Florida, had weakened to a tropical storm by the time it hit South Carolina. Despite its reduced intensity, the storm still posed significant threats due to its potential to cause additional flooding in the Carolinas and other states.
Forecasters warned of continued heavy rain, with some areas expecting up to six more inches of rain. The hurricane center warned that the ongoing downpours could cause more severe flooding, affecting a wide swath from North Carolina to upstate New York.
As residents and officials grapple with the aftermath of Tropical Storm Debby, the focus remains on safety and recovery in the affected regions.
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