RALEIGH, N.C. — More than 25 tornadoes touched down, 24 people were killed, hundreds of homes were destroyed and thousands were damaged in the outbreak on April 16, 2011.
For residents of Raleigh’s Oakwood neighborhood, it was the start of a long road back and a lesson they will never forget.
“I remember basically huddling in the bathroom with the dog while it went by,” said Curtis Kasefang. “The tornado skipped through the neighborhood.”
Since that day, North Carolina’s population has increased by an estimated 10 percent; Wake County’s population increased more than 23 percent, which means many might not have experienced the scare or know what to do when severe weather hits.
“Pay attention to it. Be aware,” said Jeff Hammerstein, assistant chief of Wake EMS.
“Know what your plan is going to be. Know where your family and friends are going to be.”
Continue Reading on WRAL
