Eight people are confirmed dead from Thursday morning’s tornado near Riegelwood. At a press conference Friday afternoon, County Commission Chairman Kip Godwin said that twelve people remained patients in area hospitals, five at New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, two at Columbus Regional Health Care in Whiteville, two at UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill, two at Pitt Memorial in Greenville and one at Bladen County Hospital. Five of the 12 still hospitalized are under age 12. The four patients at Chapel Hill and Greenville are under age 12. All four are listed in “critical but stable” condition, Godwin said.
The eight dead are: “Ty” Wilson, O’Kenneth Wilson, Danny Jacobs (age 6) and Miguel Martinez (age 11), all of whom died at the scene. Those who were declared dead at hospitals were Mary Ann Mai, Timithy Mai, Michael Browne and Suki Ruis, who died Thursday night.
•Browne was an active member of ADR Fire Rescue and had taken his EMT exam Saturday. A memorial fund for his surviving daughter, Cheyenne, has been established at ADR, PO Box 187, Riegelwood, 28456. Donations are tax deductible.
•A counseling session for victims is set for Saturday, 11 a.m. at Riegelwood Baptist Church on N.C. 87.
•Sen. Elizabeth Dole, Rep. Mike McIntyre and Gov. Mike Easley all toured the devastation Friday, either on the ground or by air. Dole, the former director of the American Red Cross, took a few “private” minutes away from the press to talk with victims.
•Thirty homes were damaged or destroyed. Sheriff Chris Batten, who viewed the damage from a helicopter Thursday morning, said debris was spread all the way to the Cape Fear River.
• Godwin ordered all flags on county buildings to be flown at half-staff through Monday.
• The storm does not qualify victims for federal disaster assistance because it did not meet the damage threshold, but victims may be able to receive some assistance. For those looking to help families who have suffered from the storm, the Community Foundation Center of Southeastern North Carolina has set up the Riegelwood Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund, which can be sent to 321 N. Front Street, Wilmington 28401. The American Red Cross has also set up a fund. For other information about relief donations, call the Governor’s Emergency Hotline at 1-888-835-9966.
• A team from the National Severe Storms Laboratory in Oklahoma was in Columbus County Friday to investigate the tornado. Researcher Donald Burgess said the data collected will be used as part of an improved early warning system, but that system is still years in the future. Burgess also praised Wilmington National Weather Service Meteorologist Tom Matheson and his co-workers for their quick evaluation of the storm. The tornado warning was issued 12 minutes before touchdown at approximately 6:37 a.m. The storm initially is being classified as an F-3. F-5 is the worst rating. Winds were estimated at 160 miles per hour.
• Many people believe that a second tornado passed over the same area at approximately 11 a.m. High winds and blinding rain raced through soon after a tornado warning was issued, and many people reported hearing a roaring sound overhead.
• Kip Godwin said animal control officers are working with private animal rescue groups to care for homeless or displaced animals, as well as reuniting the pets with their owners.
• Clean-up will be bid by the county with potential reimbursement from the state. Clean-up will not be conducted until families have had time to retrieve pictures and other valuables.
• A portable storage company from Jacksonville is donating units for victims to store their belongings.
• Leroy Sellers, Columbus County Solid Waste director, said that help has been offered from around the state. “No request we’ve made for help has been denied,” Sellers said. “It’s amazing how much help we’ve been offered.”