Harrisburg Residents Clean Up After an F2 Tornado Strikes – And You Can Help

Early Saturday morning March 2, 2012 my dog woke me seeming to be having a panic attack. I looked at the clock.

2:30 am.

Outside the wind was howling, the flashes of lightning were lighting up my house, and the boom of thunder made my house shake.

I proceeded downstairs with all three dogs. The kids woke up and followed me downstairs. Chloe, the scared dog, found a hiding place under a table. Who knew she was so smart?

The rest of us, on the other hand went back to sleep only to wake up to news that a “possible” tornado had hit the Charlotte/Harrisburg area – Just 10 miles from our house – at approximate 2:30 am, the same time my dog woke me up.

Later, it was confirmed, it was an F2 tornado that’s path took it through a neighborhood, crossed the 485 Interstate, and into another neighborhood.

A 7 year old child was sucked from his bed and landed on Interstate 485, while one of his sisters landed in a neighbors yard. He was released from the hospital, but two of his sisters remain in the hospital.

Lost dogs are searching for their owners.

The tornado left behind a path of destruction nearly four miles long.

Houses were destroyed.

Lives were changed forever.

The tornado damaged more than 180 homes in Mecklenburg and Cabarrus counties and destroyed at least seven.

Miraculously, no one was killed.

While Mother Nature may have flexed her muscles, I bet she is proud of all of the people that are working together to help rebuild the communities.

Want to help?

Check with:

The Red Cross

Samaratins Purse

Your local church may be organizing a clean up crew, if not, ask them to.

Good citizens are just using their own time and effort to help other people out.

Before venturing to any of the communities that are affected, even if you want to help, make sure to get permission as police are blocking entrance to most of the communities except those that live there or have special permission.