How can we forget July 19, 2023, when an EF-3 Tornado hit our Twin Counties community? The winds reached speeds of 150 miles per hour and left a path of destruction across our community.
From Dortches in Nash County to the Pfizer Plant and over to Edgecombe County, the tornado snapped trees, destroyed homes and left a debris field for miles. Tornado responders were on the scene immediately — our law enforcement, emergency management, fire departments, governmental leaders, nonprofit agencies, volunteers, faith leaders and many others were there to lend a helping hand. That immediate response was crucial to our community’s relief efforts.
Across Rocky Mount, Nash County and Edgecombe County, at least 119 structures were damaged, ranging from minor to major to destroyed. Approximately 500 individuals within the community were affected, resulting in millions of dollars in damage. Also, more than 100 employees at the Pfizer facility sustained personal property damage.
Our response and recovery:
United Way Tar River Region: Since the tornado hit, our community has come together, and we have met with governmental leaders, community leaders and other stakeholders to understand how United Way can best support our community to rebuild. Since we cross both counties, we can act as a backbone to help with mobilizing financial support, in-kind donations and work to bridge support between government, corporate and community entities. We provided NC 211 Information and Referral System to support community members and their health and human service needs with 24/7/365 access. To ensure accountability and efficiency, United Way utilized our network of nonprofit agency partners, dedicated staff and volunteers and our experience in vetting and distributing funds from past disasters within our community.Twin-County Tornado Recovery Fund: We quickly mobilized, knowing that we needed funds to help our local residents recover. United Way Tar River Region and the Rocky Mount Area Chamber of Commerce immediately teamed up to establish the Twin-County Tornado Recovery Fund. Many entities were extremely generous and supported the fund, and that has allowed us to provide help to our local residents and Pfizer employees. The fund raised more than $550,000, receiving hundreds of donations from individuals, companies and foundations and has helped close to 250 people clean up, repair and rebuild homes, vehicles and other structures. All the funds have been used to help our affected residents recover and rebuild.Our Twin-County Tornado Recovery Committee: This group met weekly at the United Way offices as we worked case-by-case to ensure that all residents who needed assistance were identified, contacted and helped. Different things were needed to help with the recovery: money, in-kind donations, volunteers and various partnerships have come together in our recovery efforts. This committee has helped to ensure that the needs were met for our tornado survivors. Members of the committee included government leaders, state and local emergency management officials, United Way, other nonprofit agencies and local churches.April 2024: We recognized our tornado responders, supporters and survivors at the United Way’s yearly Community Champions Luncheon, where we celebrated them as our community champions. At this luncheon, we highlighted tornado survivors: their stories of survival and recovery were both heart-breaking and awe-inspiring. Some lost everything they owned and have had to rebuild, and some needed a helping hand with clean-up and repairs, and through it all, we have shown and exemplified care and compassion for our fellow neighbors.
Let’s celebrate all who helped with our tornado recovery, any who lent a helping hand and those who have remained dedicated to ensuring our community members get back on their feet. Tragedy can lead to triumph; it just takes time, effort, patience, support, unity and hope.
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