Financial Assistance Now Available For NC Tornado Victims

SPARTANBURG, S.C. --

Update: January 19, 2012 at 1:08 p.m.

Victims of the recent tornadoes that devastated portions of western North Carolina are now eligible for financial assistance.

North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue announced Thursday that Burke and Rutherford residents impacted by the tornadoes that touched down earlier this month qualify for aid.

“We are aggressively pursuing all possible assistance to help families repair their homes and begin rebuilding their lives,” Perdue said. “Homeowners and renters who suffered damages from the severe weather can apply for low-interest loans or grants.”

Two U.S. Small Business Administration Disaster Loan Outreach Centers opened at noon Thursday in Ellenboro and Hildebran.

Staff will be on hand to help complete applications and answer questions

The centers are located at:

Ellenboro Fire Department
175 Depot St., Ellenboro

Hildebran Town Hall
202 South Center St., Hildebran

They will be open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. through January 26 and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, January 21.

Loans up to $200,000 are available through the SBA to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters also are eligible for loans up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property.

Those who do not qualify may still be eligible for state grants.

For more information, call 1-800-659-2955 or click here.

Update: January 16, 2012 at 12:08 p.m.

Families in Rutherford and Burke Counties are still trying to recover, from the tornado that ripped through their area last week. The Red Cross has 66 trained volunteers and staff on the ground, providing around the clock support, to those in need.

Disaster Assessment Teams canvassed neighborhoods Friday, and found more than 2 dozen homes that sustained major to total damage.

The Red Cross now estimates the relief response will cost more than $40,000.

As of Saturday evening the Red Cross has:

Provided shelter for 24 residents
Served 1000 meals meals to first responders, shelter residents and clients
Served 781 snacks to first responders, shelter residents and clients
Sent 66 volunteers and staff to provide support to the affected residents
Given Spiritual Care to 18 clients

Updated: January 13, 2012 at 6:46 p.m.

North Carolina Gov. Bev Perdue asked the U.S. Small Business Administration Friday to provide low-interest loans to residents in Burke and Rutherford counties after severe storms and tornadoes caused widespread devastation earlier this week.

“We will aggressively pursue any available assistance for those who suffered losses in the tornadoes and need help rebuilding or repairing their homes and businesses,” Gov. Perdue said. “We hope to hear back from the SBA early next week.”

The loans give up to $200,000 to homeowners to make repairs to damaged property.

Updated: January 13, 2012 at 6:28 p.m.

The American Red Cross says 22 homes were destroyed during Wednesday night's tornado and 11 homes suffered major damage. A total of 97 homes were impacted by the storms.

Two-dozen residents, including a one-month-old child, were housed at the shelter at First Baptist Church in Icard, which remains open.

Officials will meet individually with families Saturday.

"This community really helps take care of each other," said Suzan Anderson, local Red Cross community executive. "One woman stopped by the shelter, and said she didn't have much herself, but she wanted to donate everything she had, and that was 20 dollars."

A total of 73 volunteers and staff helped support those affected.

Those who want to help people affected by storms and other disasters can make a contribution to Red Cross Disaster Relief:

- Visit www.redcross.org
- Call 1-800-REDCROSS
- Text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation

Updated: January 13, 2012 at 2:31 p.m.

The American Red Cross has seen massive budget cuts over the past year and now after a tornado touched down in western North Carolina, residents are wondering if they will get any help.

Brian Scoles, of the Red Cross, says closing offices is something they're doing to save money, but the response will be the same to displaced residents whether they've had a fire or lost their home in a tornado.

Funds will be put towards making the Red Cross more mobile and toward resources.

If you are interested in donating, visit the Red Cross website.

Updated: January 12, 2012 at 2:46 p.m.

The National Weather Service has confirmed a tornado that took place Wednesday evening in Rutherford and Burke counties.

Weather officials say the storm that swept through the area produced an EF2 tornado with estimated wind speeds of 115 to 130-miles-per-hour.

Read the report here. More details are expected to be released.

Updated: January 12, 2012 at 2:22 p.m.

Emergency management officials have not yet confirmed if a tornado did touchdown in North Carolina counties Wednesday. They tell Gov. Bev Perdue that many people impacted don't have insurance, which means there's a better chance for FEMA assistance.

Updated: January 12, 2012 at 12:35 p.m.

Red Cross Disaster Assessment teams are now in the area following Wednesday evening's strong storms that caused severe damage in Rutherford and Burke counties of North Carolina.

Emergency Response Vehicles are in the area delivering snacks and water to those affected by the storm.

The shelter that opened up overnight at the New Salem United Methodist Church in Statesville closed at 9 a.m. Volunteers say no clients needed overnight shelter.

Those who need Red Cross assistance can contact the Forrest City office at 828-287-5916.

Updated: January 12, 2012 at 10:48 a.m.

North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue will tour storm damage Thursday in Hildebran and Ellenboro.

The governor will be at the Icard Fire Department in Hildebran at 11;15 a.m.

Perdue is scheduled to be in Ellenboro at the Ellenboro Fire
Department at 1:15 p.m.

Updated: January 12, 2012 at 8:25 a.m.

At least 15 people have been hurt in a possible tornado that struck two counties in western North Carolina.

Meteorologist Neil Dixon with the National Weather Service in Greer said the storms struck in Rutherford and then Burke counties late Wednesday afternoon.

Rutherford County sheriff's Sgt. Dwayne Wright said Thursday morning that 10 people were injured in Ellenboro, two of them seriously. Wright did not know the extent of their injuries.

He says at least 10 buildings were damaged, but more details are expected Thursday.

Dixon says five people were hurt when the storm struck in the Icard area in Burke County. He says officials initially estimated that 50 buildings had been damaged.

Forecasters planned to survey the area Thursday to confirm the damage was caused by a tornado.

Updated: January 12, 2012 at 6:50 a.m.

The National Weather Service will send crews to Ellenboro on Thursday to determine if the storm damage left behind is the work of a tornado. Duke Energy reported many power outages Thursday morning. See the latest numbers here.

The Red Cross has opened shelters at the following locations:

First Baptist Church
2178 US 70 in Icard, NC

Salem Methodist Church
184 Old Salem Church Rd in Bostic, NC

Updated: January 11, 2012 at 7:54 p.m.

The storm that rolled through western North Carolina Wednesday evening has destroyed a mobile home on Piney Mountain Road in Rutherford County.

A grandmother, her daughter and four grandchildren escaped without major injuries.

Emergency crews have confirmed that one man was transported to a nearby hospital.

Samuel Owens had to help his mother get out of the rubble at her mobile home.

"The only thing I saw was her hand, and that's how I knew where she was at," he explained.

"It picked up the whole trailer, and just exploded," said Owens of the strong winds.

Severe weather has settled for the most part following the storm. Storm Team 7 forecasters say rain chances will taper off tonight and leave clouds behind.

A secondary cold front moves into the area on Thursday. Before that happens,
we should see some sunshine pop out, but clouds and a few showers will be
expected around the front. The mountains will have a better chance of showers
than the Upstate; showers will be more isolated farther south and east. It will
also be one more day of above-average temperatures.

Updated: January 11, 2012 at 7:04 p.m.

Ellenboro Mayor Jim Rhyne tells 7 On Your Side he's heard reports of property damage including downed trees, roofs damaged and a shed that was blown over.

We're working to find out the full extent of the damage and we will bring you the latest updates as soon as we receive them.

Updated: January 11, 2012 at 6:35 p.m.

Tornado warnings in western North Carolina have all expired, but emergency crews are now on the scene near Ellenboro, in Rutherford County. Seven On Your Side is working to find out the extent of the damage and if any injuries have been reported.

A flood watch remains in parts of western North Carolina and some areas along the South Carolina border.

Get the latest weather alerts here.

If you have any pictures of storm damage, share them with us on Snap!

Stay with wspa.com and 7 On Your Side for the very latest on this developing story.

Updated: January 11, 2012 at 6:19 p.m.

Red Cross officials say they are responding to the area of damage to assess the situation and look into opening shelters if needed.

Updated: January 11, 2012 at 6:02 p.m.

Ellenboro Alderman Mike Rhyne tells 7 On Your Side some houses on Piney Road in the Concord Community, west of Ellenboro, are showing damage.

Updated: January 11, 2012 at 5:55 p.m.

NWS Doppler Radar indicated a tornado 16 miles north of Shelby moving northeast at 35 miles per hour around 5:45 p.m.

Weather officials say mobile homes and vehicles should be abandoned for sturdier shelter. The safest place in a home or place of business is an interior room on the lowest level.

Updated: January 11, 2012 at 5:44 p.m.

A tornado warning has been issued for parts of Catawba, Cleveland, Lincoln, Burke and Rutherford counties in North Carolina until 6:15 p.m. Click here for the latest weather alerts.

Posted: January 11, 2012

A flash flood watch is in effect through Wednesday evening for most mountain
locations.

Storms are popping up on the radar across the Upstate and western North Carolina.

Showers and some thunderstorms will be likely throughout much of the day Wednesday as a storm system pulls across the Southeast.

Locally heavy rain will be the main threat, with localized amounts of two to three inches of rain in the mountains before rain chances break up this evening. The Upstate may see an inch...give or take...with locally higher amounts possible. We'll have to keep an eye on the storm potential as well, as isolated strong storms remain a possibility.

Rain chances will taper off this evening as this storm system moves out.
Clouds will be left behind.

Behind the front, breezy and colder conditions push in. Thursday evening,
leftover moisture in the mountains will turn to snow showers as temperatures
drop; as usual, the mountains near the Tennessee border will be the favored
location for snow, with some minor accumulations possible. Southern mountains
might pick up a couple of flurries, while the Upstate should stay dry as the
colder air rushes in.

Friday will be brisk and chilly. The weekend looks quiet and seasonably
chilly.