Rocky Mount tornado survivor shares terrifying experience: ‘God brought us through’

ROCKY MOUNT, NC (WTVD) — When you talk to Clarence First, you can see that he is a man of faith.

The first is a manager at the K & W Cafeteria next to the devastation left by Hurricane Helene.

“God got us through,” he said. “For that tornado to hit right behind us and not hit this building, thank him for covering us.”

First, Eyewitness News walked through the terrifying moments when a tornado touched down just steps from where he works. He stood with a few employees on the buffet line and demanded that all customers take cover in the restrooms.

“It happened so quickly. It was a matter of seconds. I heard a loud popping noise…a booming noise and the lights went out,” he said. “One of the customers started praying. Employees were shouting. Many people were crying.”

According to First, power was out in the area for almost 24 hours. He dangled a light from K’s entrance & W that was minor damage compared to the destruction behind the restaurant.

SEE ALSO: Helene blamed three deaths in North Carolina, historic flooding and at least four tornadoes

The storm system tore through Rocky Mount’s business district along Tiffany Boulevard, which remains closed. Some of the damage includes windows blown out of cars, overturned dumpsters, a collapsed roof and a medical supply store that was completely wiped out.

“When I saw it yesterday I thought, wow. I prayed there was no one in the building that I knew,” Robert Green said.

He used to shop at the medical supply store and drive from Whitakers to take a closer look at the damage. Green took photos so he could add them to his collection at home.

“This will go up even if it came through Dortches and got to the pharmaceutical factory. It’s pictures like that that I’m taking,” he said.

According to the City of Rocky Mount, “Police will monitor the property to ensure the safety of the area.” Reconstruction could likely take months.

Helene’s aftermath is also being felt and seen from eastern to western North Carolina. Federal agencies have advice for residents.

“If it is safe to do so, document any damage you have. Take pictures and report it to your insurance company,” said Erik Hooks, deputy administrator at FEMA.

RELATED: At least 56 dead and millions without power after Helene’s deadly march across the southeastern US