Official confirms tornado hit Oakboro
Heavy storms and winds along with a brief tornado caused damage Monday in the Oakboro area.
According to Stanly County Emergency Services Director Brian Simpson, a brief tornado rating 0 on the Enhanced Fujita (EF) scale touched down in the Booger Hollar Road area.
Straight-line winds also affected areas, knocking down trees on several houses.
Crystal Huerta, who lives on Sun Rise Lane, said her husband, Joshua Greene, looked out of their window at the storm from their home and suggested they check The Weather Channel on TV.
“Two seconds later, he went to the bathroom window and saw all the water being sucked up,” Huerta said.
Greene screamed at Huerta and their daughter to get into the closet. Seconds later, they heard the wind pick up and a big bang.
A large tree in the family’s front yard just missed Huerta’s car. One of the family’s sheds was damaged.
At their neighbor’s house, trees fell onto the house and the chicken farm as well.
Other damage in Oakboro included Tammy’s Restaurant, where trees fell onto the roof of the restaurant and an adjacent house. One tree blocked Main Street as well.
A trailer was overturned on St. Martin Road.
According to Police Chief T.J. Smith, no one in Oakboro was hurt. He said he had not heard of any serious injuries elsewhere in the county from the storm.