Cleanup efforts continue in Nash and Edgecombe counties after tornado

DORTCHES, N.C. (WTVD) -- Cleanup efforts continue in Nash and Edgecombe counties this morning after an EF-3 tornado touched down Wednesday afternoon.

The powerful EF-3 twister destroyed homes, cars and businesses during its 16-mile trek.

ABC11 talked to volunteers who showed up Saturday to help in any way they can.

Bobby Clark says his fellow church members, volunteers from the Boys & Girls Club and friends have come out to help after his home's roof was torn off. Clark says he is grateful he survived and that so many came out Saturday to support him.

"Frat brothers I hadn't talked to in 30, 40 years called me to lift a hand and also the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority," Clark said.

"The community has been very good to me and my wife right now."

Baptists on Mission Disaster Relief is also cleaning up about 20 homes in Dortches at least until Monday. The group says almost 80 volunteers have been clearing up yards and repairing roofs.

"We're so fortunate to have great volunteers across the state that are able to do that at a moment's notice. And so they've seen the need of people but also the hope in peoples' eyes as people are already showing up to help them," said Tom Beam, a coordinator for Baptists on Mission.

Flora Dickens is one of those impacted in Dortches. After almost 34 years of living in her home, the tornado tore down nine trees in front of her house.

The storm also ripped off the top of her shed and damaged two of her family's cars. But she says she's taking it all in stride.

"I count my blessings. I count my blessings because it could have been worse."

The Baptist on Mission Disaster Relief organization also continued cleanup efforts.

Tom Beam, who is with the organization, said people were eager to help those in need.

"We have volunteers all across North Carolina but in these specific areas, we just send an e-mail out to say we need you here on Saturday at 9 o'clock and a lot of them have showed up. So we're happy to help the community get cleaned up from this storm," he said.

The group has a list of 13 homes that they will help pick up the pieces on Saturday.

"We are just going to help anyone who has a need. From the smallest job to as big as we can handle which would be just tarping a roof. No rebuild today, but certainly helping people clean up," Beam said.