Dortches Baptist Church Offers Tornado Relief to Nash and Edgecombe Counties

Volunteers from across the state and region are helping the communities of Nash and Edgecombe counties recover from the damage caused by a tornado on Saturday afternoon.

James Powell's home was one of many that was damaged by a tornado that struck Battleboro, on Wednesday.

Powell, who has lived in his home since 2007, said that he was "knocked to the floor" when a tree crashed through his house.

"I had to crawl up under it and go up towards my bedroom," Powell said.

He was picking up what he could inside, trying to salvage anything that was still usable.

Despite the damage, Powell was grateful for the help of volunteers who came to his home to help clean up.

"Everybody does something a little bit different," said Mike Sanders, crew chief of the Baptists on Mission Disaster Relief. "We've got different people trained in different areas."

The group had nearly 50 volunteers working at homes in Edgecombe and Nash counties.

"Most of us do not know each other," said Sanders. "This is the first time we've met."

This effort is one of many underway in the disaster zone. Other groups, including United Way Tar River Region, are collecting donations for the storm victims.

Powell said that he was grateful for any help that he could get. "Gotta take it one day at a time," he said.

Just before 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, a tornado touched down north of Rocky Mount, near the Battleboro and Dortches communities.

Dozens of homes and buildings were damaged or destroyed, including the Pfizer plant in Rocky Mount.

Anyone who would like to help, can make a donation to the Twin County Tornado Disaster Relief Fund once the Rocky Mount Area Chamber of Commerce sets it up.

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