Hoke County residents survey storm damage

Holliday escaped by crawling through a small crack in the debris.

"The love and grace of my almighty God, that's who saved me," she said, noting that there wasn't a scratch on her.

She was taken to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center and was released early Monday to survey the damage to her home. Her roof was blown into a neighbor's yard. 

Holliday's home of 26 years was destroyed during a mircroburst of severe weather that crossed south-central North Carolina Sunday night. According to the National Weather Service, winds hit 85 mph in Hoke County.

"I heard the roar," said Chris Jacobsen, also of Raeford. "I honestly thought it was a tornado when I stepped outside."

Jacobsen said a grill and pump house were picked up by the wind and blown across his property. A 100-year-old oak fell on his house, but he was unharmed.

Residents of Willow Trace mobile home park, on Carolina and Cardinal drives, were forced from their homes when the winds roared through, Barry Porter, regional executive director of the American Red Cross, said.

Forty-four of the 50 mobiles homes in the community were damaged, according to the NWS. Four were destroyed.

Dozens of people from Willow Trace spent the night at a Red Cross shelter at East Hoke Middle School, at 4702 Fayetteville Road.

Seven families were provided lodging on Monday, as others, including Holliday, were able to stay with family or friends.