Storm stories

PETTICOAT JUNCTION -- Darrell Miller said he was in shock.

Saturday morning he walked through the debris that had once been his business and nearby home and said, "I can't believe it came through like this." He shook his head while walking among a toppled cinder block construction that once housed his glass business.

His mobile home used to stand next door, but Friday night's storm had lifted it on its side and demolished it -- all while Mr. Miller, his wife and his three children were inside. He said they somehow escaped the mangled home and made their way to a ditch area behind his business, taking shelter until the storm passed by.

He said he was amazed at how his family made it through unscathed and how friends had showed up Saturday to help in the cleanup.

It reaffirmed his faith in God, he said. "I just got to take it a day at a time."

-- Preston Sparks

BEECH ISLAND -- Farrell Morgan Jr.'s Friday night ended not only with a large hole in his roof but with two Masters gueststaking shelter in his home.

"He's a hero in my opinion," said Richard Groenendyke , of Tulsa, Okla. He and wife, Cheryl, spent the night at Mr. Morgan's home. The Groenendykes said they had just flown into the area for the last two rounds of the Masters Tournament. They said they were taking a shortcut down South Carolina Highway 278 heading to their hotel in Aiken when the storm struck, causing trees to fall all around their vehicle near Mr. Morgan's home.

"Trees fell in front of our car and behind our car but not on our car," Mr. Groenendyke said.

Mr. Morgan saw the vehicle and quickly rushed to help them out of their rental car and inside to shelter.

By Saturday afternoon, Mr. Morgan's Masters visitors were leaving but made sure to pose quickly for a souvenir photo with Mr. Morgan.

"We're so blessed," Mr. Groenendyke said. "We're sending Farrell a wedding present."

His wedding is planned next weekend.

-- Preston Sparks

BEECH ISLAND -- The power was out and wind damage was obvious to the roof Saturday, but at New Beginning Ministries in Beech Island church members said they would definitely be worshipping God today.

It is Easter.

"I don't know where we'll be at, but we'll have service," said Terrell Pressley, whose father is the church's bishop.

Beside significant damage to a portion of its roof, several windows were blown out of the church and there was water damage throughout the church's main building.

Mr. Williamson said a group of church members had traveled by van to a revival in Orangeburg Friday night when the storm struck. He said they had left their cars at the church but were unable to get to them Friday night as roads were blocked. As a result, he said the church members stayed at the home of their bishop and a church member.

Mr. Williamson said on Saturday that members had been working hard to clean up the area.

-- Preston Sparks

BEECH ISLAND -- Brent Sharpe spent Saturday working with friends to pick up the debris left by a storm that shifted his home off its foundation and destroyed his backyard shed.

"The house was moving," Mr. Sharpe said, adding that he heard the train sound many describe when a tornado hits.

He said he and his family were in the house at the time, but got out when winds subsided.

Liesa McCoy, a friend from Aiken who was helping clean up inside the Sharpes' home, said she was just glad no one was hurt there.

"God was watching over everybody," she said.

-- Preston Sparks

HARLEM -- Clara and Jimmy McNair were sitting at their home near Harlem when an EF-1 tornado tore through.

"I heard it coming," said Mr. McNair, who has lived in the house on Louisville Road for 73 years. "It sounded like a train rolling. It does something to your ears."

As the tornado ripped through the area, Mr. McNair was sitting in his dining room. His wife, Clara McNair, was sitting in a front room, while their son and his girlfriend were in a front room.

"It was so quick, but it was so frightening," Mrs. McNair said.

Heavy winds blew the roof off the couple's barn, damaged two storage buildings, and knocked a tree onto Mr McNair's beloved 1968 Ford pickup truck.

Though the home suffered damages and was left without power, the couple said they feel blessed that no one was seriously injured.

"We're thankful we are all right," Mr. McNair said. "Nobody is hurt."

-- Jenna Martin

Friday night went from a night a fun into a night a fear for Winona Jones and her family in south Augusta.

"My girls and I were doing pedicures and we were just talking and laughing and my son was in his room playing video games," she said. "All of a sudden I heard this sound. I don't even know how to describe it, but it was scary. The next thing I know, I'm calling out to my son to get the girls and take them to the bathroom. I didn't know what else to do. I was so scared. I've never been petrified like that before."

Mrs. Jones, who lives in the Virginia subdivision in south Augusta, was one of many Augusta residents who came to the processing center Saturday at the Bernie Ward Community Center.

"You just never expect something like this to happen to you."

She said she called her husband, who is a truck driver, to let him know what happened .

"I told him that of all nights, that was the night I really wish he was home," she said.

Mrs. Jones said that she would spend Saturday cleaning up so that she can still have her annual Easter egg hunt for her family and friends' children today .

"It's something the children and I look forward to each year," she said. "It's a tradition and with everything that has happened, I think it's something we need to do to take our mind off of it."

-- Nikasha Dicks

In Waynesboro, Ga., Mayor George DeLoach said Saturday the overnight storm devastating, but said community members are reaching out to help those in need.

"These people are devastated about losing their homes," Mr. DeLoach said. "We're going to try to do what we can to help these people."

Emergency officials spent most of the day dealing with damage throughout Burke County. More than 30 homes were damaged and at least one man was critically injured. State Rep. Gloria Frazier said the man, whom she did not identify, was at the Medical College of Georgia Hospital and Clinics. Three others were injured, she said. Denise Parrish, a spokeswoman for MCG, said a Burke County patient was listed in fair condition Saturday night.

Chief Rusty Sanders, Burke County Emergency Management director, said late Saturday that damage assessment is continuing.

Jana Hill, public affairs director, American Red Cross of Augusta, said if people in Burke County need help, they may call United Way's 211 or the American Red Cross- Augusta Chapter at (706) 724-8481.

-- Stephanie Toone