JACKSONVILLE, Onslow County — Community members gathered Saturday morning to help clean up debris after a tornado caused the collapse of the American Legion Burton-Cowell Post 265 building during severe storms that moved through eastern North Carolina earlier this week.
According to the National Weather Service, several tornadoes touched down across eastern North Carolina Thursday afternoon as a line of strong storms moved through the region.
A preliminary storm survey from the National Weather Service office in Newport/Morehead City confirmed an EF-0 tornado touched down in Jacksonville around 2:16 p.m. near New River Station in Onslow County.
The tornado produced estimated peak winds of about 85 mph, with a path length of approximately 792 feet and a width of about 20 yards, according to the National Weather Service.
Survey teams determined the most significant damage from the storm was the collapse of a metal building — the American Legion Burton-Cowell Post 265 facility in Jacksonville.
Members of the post organized a cleanup effort Saturday morning to begin clearing debris around the damaged building.
American Legion Burton-Cowell Post 265 Commander Steve Shortt asked members and volunteers to meet at 11 a.m. in the front parking lot to receive instructions on how cleanup would proceed outside the building.
Our crew covering the cleanup reported over 20 volunteers showed up to help Saturday morning, with additional people continuing to arrive.
Volunteers ages 14 and older were invited to participate, and organizers asked those attending to bring rakes and gloves to assist with debris removal.
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The cleanup effort comes as communities across eastern North Carolina continue assessing damage and beginning recovery efforts following Thursday’s severe storms.