Bertie deadly twister was an EF-3; some victims released from hospital

Published 5:56 pm Wednesday, August 5, 2020

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WINDSOR – Eight of the 16 residents hospitalized after a powerful tornado tore through a mobile home park near here early Tuesday morning have been released.

The other eight remain in the hospital in critical but stable condition, according to information supplied by Bertie County local government.

The twister, which touched down at around 1:30 a.m. during Hurricane Isaias along a portion of Morning Road, located off Woodard Road south of Windsor, was determined as an EF-3 tornado by the National Weather Service office in Wakefield, VA. Wind speed was estimated at between 140-to-145 mph.

Two residents of that mobile home park were killed.

A donation center administered by Bertie County staff will be open from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 6 at Bertie Early College High School, located at 819 Governors Road, Windsor. Donations such as clothing in good/gently used condition are being accepted.

Other needed items include:

Bottled water

Deodorant

Toothpaste

Toothbrush

Body Wash

Soap

Shampoo/Conditioner

Lotion

Over the counter adult medications (Tylenol, Ibuprofen, aspirin)

Over the counter children’s medication (Tylenol, Motrin)

Bay diapers

Baby wipes

Diaper rash cream

Adult diapers

Nutrition shakes (Boost, Ensure)

Denture cleaner

First aid items (band aids, Neosporin, Hydrocortisone cream)

Hair brush, comb, hair ties, pins

Undergarments, new in package (underwear, boxers, bras)

Gallon size water

Snack items (things that won’t melt: crackers, cereal, granola bars, individual chips, animal crackers, fruit cups, juice boxes)

On Saturday, Aug. 8, the Good Shephard Food Pantry (1008 North King Street in Windsor) will host a drive thru-food distribution event. Bertie County residents just need to show their ID between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. to get food. The event will be held on the second and third Saturdays of each month.

The Bertie County Humane Society in Windsor is asking for donations of dog food and other supplies.

Volunteers from Samaritan’s Purse arrived on Wednesday to assist with the clean-up of debris. Others wishing to volunteer are asked to stage at Ross Baptist Church (1020 Bull Hill Road, Windsor) at 7:30 a.m. or 12:30 p.m. Those individuals are not required to have any experience in storm recovery. They will be given a brief orientation and then transported to the area on Morning Road.

About Cal Bryant

Cal Bryant, a 40-year veteran of the newspaper industry, serves as the Editor at Roanoke-Chowan Publications, publishers of the Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald, Gates County Index, and Front Porch Living magazine.

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