Gov. Cooper visits tornado-damaged Nash and Edgecombe Counties

The tornado rated EF3, touched down in Dortches, Nash County, and ended nine miles east-northeast of Battleboro in Edgecombe County. It caused widespread damage, including destroying homes, businesses, and a Pfizer manufacturing plant.

Gov. Cooper said no deaths were reported and the last person hospitalized by the tornado has left the hospital.

Cooper added a damage assessment will begin Monday and be conducted over the next few days.

From there, he said, state officials will get a sense of the cost, so they will know what to request for state and federal aid.

"We'll do everything that we can from a state and federal standpoint ot help in any way and provide whatever assistance that the need," Cooper said.

As for the Pfizer plant, the governor said he's been in touch with officials at the plant, adding the plant will not close and they will work to start production again "as quickly as possible."

Cooper said that employees and contractors out of work will continue to be paid. Governor Cooper, who grew up in Nash County, said he's confident the community will pull together to make it work.

"I know the people, and they have pulled together and they have done great things with a horrible, powerful storm that has come through and has disrupted the lives of many people," Cooper said. "I feel pretty confident that this community is going to continue to pull together and make this happen."

Every dollar raised will go to help the people who have been affected by the tornado.