VALE, N.C.,None — Strong storms are approaching a local community as it struggles to rebuild from the last round of severe weather.
Diane Hartman and her mother, who live in Vale, kept a close watch on the weather Tuesday, as a tornado watch is in effect for much of the area. The damage done by a tornado that hit the area last month is still visible. Hartman said she and her family had a matter of minutes to get into her sister-in-law's basement when the last storm hit.
"My husband come out about 45 minutes afterward, and I was talking to him on the cell phone and he was screaming, ‘Oh my god,' and that's when we found out a house over there was destroyed," Hartman said.
The F-2 tornado with 135 mph winds cut a three-mile path two football fields wide through western Lincoln County, destroying homes and snapping trees.
CHOPPER VIDEO: Tornado Damage In Lincoln County
SLIDESHOW: Tornado Rips Through Lincoln County
"I'm just thankful that there (weren't) any lives taken. It was really a miracle as (so) much damage has been done," area resident Cindy Bivens said.
Several roofs in the area are still covered with tarps, and other homes are in the process of being repaired. With the threat of more severe weather Tuesday night, people are on guard.
"When they go and call for bad weather, you're ready to leave, especially living in a trailer," Geneva Towery said.
"I've had Channel 9 on all day long. We're still watching because if they say something, we're out of here," Hartman said.
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