Rocky Mount tornado: Four victims released from hospital as city recovers from EF3 damage

Four people who were in critical condition at the hospital got released Monday after last week’s EF3 tornado in Rocky Mount.

Friday’s tornado brought on by Helene injured 15 people overall.

A state of emergency remains in effect for Rocky Mount on Monday.

City of Rocky Mount plans examiner Luis Ramirez Jr. said Monday that city leaders have not been able to quantify the extent of the damage.

“We have not looked into the values,” Ramirez said. “I think that information may come out more once insurance companies and things are involved, but at this point, like I said, we’ve been looking at structural stability first and foremost.”

WRAL News asked Ramirez when business owners can return to work after the damage from the tornado. Ramirez said the business owners are scheduled to meet with insurance companies on Tuesday.

“After that, they’re going to begin all of the debris removal,” Ramirez said. “So, once the debris is removed and it’s no longer unsafe, the vehicles will also be removed, and then, we will go unit by unit with property owner and the business owners to make sure there are not any other issues.”

On Friday, cars lifted in the air and crashed into buildings in Rocky Mount along North Wesleyan Boulevard. A detailed report from the National Weather Service said “dozens” of vehicles, including large trucks, were tossed around.

The NWS said an EF3 tornado touched down around 1:31 p.m. Friday with estimated peak winds of 140 mph.

Photos: Rocky Mount tornado injures 15, damages 14 buildings

Rocky Mount Fire Chief Darvin Moore said city leaders would help business and property owners as best they can.

“This city has had a lot of devastation within … a little bit over a year, but like I said earlier, we’re very resilient,” Moore said. “So, I’m sure we’ll definitely bounce back.”

The Rocky Mount area has seen other tornadoes in the past year or so: