BERTIE Co., N.C. - Tuesday marks one week since an EF-3 tornado hit Bertie County, North Carolina.
Two adults died and more than a dozen others were injured. The storm also left lots of damage to homes throughout the area.
“We immediately said a prayer and was just grateful that we had each other, we're still here, and that we have survived,” Bertie County resident Fannie Williams said.
Todd Taylor and others with the group, Samaritan’s Purse, are helping families recover.
“My immediate reaction was, 'This is worse than I expected,'” Taylor told News 3.
Having previously lived by, Taylor said it hits close to home.
“I was just there visiting my mom a few weeks before the hurricane,” he said. “I truly was surprised by the width and the amount of damage.”
Since last week, Samaritan’s Purse volunteers from all around North Carolina have helped remove downed trees, clear debris, tarp roofs and salvage personal belongings.
Officials with the group told News 3 that so far, more than 110 of their volunteers have helped seven Bertie County families. They added more than two dozen families in the area have requested assistance from their group.
Taylor said there's still a need for more volunteers from around the area as the road to recovery continues.
“Growing up in eastern Carolina, we always saw neighbor helping neighbor,” Taylor said. “There's so much opportunity just to let people know that have been effected that they're cared about.”
Bertie County officials told News 3 other organizations helping residents include Methodist Men, Baptist Men and Cedar Landing Baptist Church.
For more information on how to volunteer with Samaritan’s Purse to help residents in Bertie County, click here.
Click here for more local hurricane resources and information.
