Governor Carney views damage in Laurel after tornado, vows to help families
LAUREL, Del. – In the midst of devastation, Sussex County families are still standing strong as they begin to rebuild their homes and their lives. And while it may be a long road ahead, they have the entire support of the first state, helping them in any way they can.
“We’re a state of neighbors here in Delaware and when our neighbors are hurting we come to their aid,” said Delaware Governor John Carney.
As the clean up and rebuilding process begins, the tornado that caused major devastation in Sussex County, has since gained the attention of Governor John Carney and other state officials. Who spent Tuesday afternoon meeting with first responders and families affected by the storm.
“It’s pretty scary, it’s pretty scary, it just goes to show you what mother nature can do,” said Carney.
“Our first responders were out here in the dark, in the rain, in the wind, power lines all around them on the ground and they were risking their lives to make sure these folks were okay,” said Secretary of the Delaware Department of Safety and Homeland Security, Robert Coupe.
To help with the cost of repairs, Carney says he and his team are planning to put in an application to The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to see if the state qualifies for any type of federal disaster relief.
“We’ll let FEMA make the decision, and put an application in and see where it goes because these folks are going to need some help,” he siad.
From one house to the next, Governor Carney assessed the damage and offered support to residents. Who say they’re just lucky to be alive.
“Trees just fell right on houses and people were pinned in their bedrooms underneath trees,” said Laurel resident Craig Moore.
But despite the destruction, officials are looking on the bright side, at the fact that no one got seriously hurt. When it could’ve been so much worse.
“I’m just amazed that nobody got hurt. We are so incredibly lucky, we’re blessed frankly,” said Carney.
Governer Carney adds that next, officials will be surveying the area and putting a damage assessment together. And once that’s completed, they’ll send all of their information over to FEMA to see if they qualify for any support.
