Middle school heavily damaged by tornado that roared through central NC: 'Looks like an explosion'

LUCAMA, N.C. (WTVD) -- A confirmed tornado heavily damaged Springfield Middle School overnight in Wilson County and destroyed several houses.

The middle school is located on Lucama on Wiggins Mill Road. ABC11 crew captured video of the aftermath that shows ceilings collapsed inside classrooms and parts of the roof scattered across the lawn of the school.

During his afternoon update, NC Governor Roy Cooper said the 6th and 7th grade classes are devastated and the 8th grade area is basically untouched. School administrators are working on a plan to make sure kids can get to class without too much of a disruption.

"Looked like an explosion. The window was blown out. What was amazing to me was--the strong brick structure and how many different bricks were everywhere. An explosion is the best way to describe it," Cooper said.

One man has died after the tornado damaged nearly a dozen homes in the Lucama area.
Houses on Wiggins Mill sustained significant to complete damage.

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WATCH | Houses significantly damaged by tornado in Wilson County