Recovery Efforts Underway in North Carolina After Tornado Damages 1K Structures
North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey this week toured some of the areas hardest hit by a mid-April tornado, saying the storm damaged more than 1,000 buildings in one county alone.
As the clean-up efforts continue in Greensboro and Rockingham County from the April 15 tornado, officials in the area have asked for patience with clean-up efforts. Greensboro’s Acting City Manager David Parrish said it will take weeks, months and even years for some who were affected to resume their lives, according to the Associated Press.
The N.C. Department of Insurance has set up an assistance center to help file claims with insurance companies for those impacted by the tornado.
“When you see the tornado damage up close and personal, it really hits home, especially for me,” said Causey. “Guilford County is my home. Seeing my neighbors hurting so badly, we just want to help. Our job is to make sure the victims have everything they need to file a proper insurance claim and my department will be with them every step of the way.”
In Greensboro, the storm damaged more than 1,000 buildings, according to Guilford County Emergency Management.
The same tornado also tore up homes and businesses across 17 miles of land in Rockingham County.
Gov. Roy Cooper declared a state of emergency April 20 in the two North Carolina counties hit hardest -Guilford and Rockingham – which means state government resources can help governments with recovery efforts, the AP reported.
On Wednesday, Commissioner Causey met with families directly impacted by the tornado to remind them to beware of dishonest contractors looking to run a scam in the wake of the tornado.
Representatives from the NCDOI staff have been in Greensboro since Monday assisting tornado survivors with their insurance claims.
A help desk remains in operation until 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Willow Oaks Community Center, 1815 Everitt St., Greensboro, N.C.