Skip to Content
Call Nagle & Associates to Get the Money You Deserve After a Truck Accident
  • aba-logo
  • afj-logo
  • bbb-logo
  • mdaf-logo

Former Insurance AdjusterOver $400,000,000 in Truck Accident

Truck Accident Injury Attorneys in Rocky Mount, NC

Our boutique injury law firm only handles roadway crash cases, with particular focus on collision cases involving tractor-trailers and commercial trucks. Crashes involving large trucks often result in serious or catastrophic injuries. Carl Nagle is a former insurance adjuster, with experience handling trucking claims for a large, national insurance carrier. He also worked as an insurance defense lawyer in Atlanta before moving to North Carolina. During those years, he was retained by trucking insurance companies to defend careless truck drivers. He knows exactly how truck insurance adjusters and insurance defense lawyers work to avoid or minimize valid injury claims.

We are North Carolina's only pure motor vehicle accident injury law firm. We only handle roadway accident cases, and refuse to handle any other legal matter. This focus and experience helps us maximize the money we collect in every case. We have collected over $700 million for NC crash victims, and we have handled many multi-million dollar truck and commercial vehicle accident cases. We also offer a reduced legal fee of 25% for settlements (and most cases settle), and 33% for litigation and trial. With our firm, you keep a larger share of the money we collect when your case closes. We also make the legal process easy for you – once we are involved, you work with doctors to restore your health and we take care of everything else.

Truck Crash Cases

Things To Know About Truck Crash Cases

More often than not, commercial truck drivers operate their vehicles with care and concern for other motorists. However, due to the large number of trucks and delivery vehicles that share our roadways, commercial truck accidents are quite common throughout NC.

According to research from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the number of truck and bus crashes in the State of North Carolina has hovered between 7,250 to 7,500. Commercial vehicle and truck accidents cause more than 2,500 injuries in The Tar Heel State every year. With large interstate corridors including Interstate 95 along the Eastern Seaboard, Interstate 85 and Interstate 40 running from Wilmington, NC all the way to Santa Monica, CA, it's no wonder that North Carolina sees thousands of truck accidents on a yearly basis.

If you or a family member has been injured in a collision involving a truck, bus, or another commercial vehicle on a North Carolina road, you might be eligible for substantial compensation. Commercial drivers are typically covered by large insurance policies.  However, with large amounts of money involved, these insurers employ the best, highest-paid adjsuters who work to minimize your injury claims and settlement money.The experienced team at Nagle & Associates is prepared to assist you in pursuing justice and securing a generous settlement that provides the necessary funds for your recovery and to support your loved ones.

Meet the Truck Accident Injury Attorneys in Rocky Mount, NC, Focused Only on Auto Accidents

Trucking accidents in North Carolina are almost never “black and white.” They often involve application of all North Carolina traffic laws alongside a body of complex federal regulations. Victims must be prepared to offer evidence to prove all violations of state laws and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations that govern truck drivers and other commercial vehicle operators. That's why it's so crucial to have legal representation from a lawyer with substantial experience in commercial vehicle accident cases. An aggressive, experienced truck accident lawyer has your best interests at heart and can help you avoid common pitfalls after your truck wreck happens.

And make no mistake, wrecks involving trucks can happen in the blink of an eye. You chose a finer dining option like highest-rated fine dining Tavern 19 Restaurant at Belmont Lake Preserve in Rocky Mount, NC. Before you can get to your exit, a fatigued tractor-trailer driver crashes into your car and changes your life forever. It sounds hyperbolic, but these traumatic accidents do happen, and usually when you least expect them to.

In the event of a crash caused by a tractor-trailer driver or any other commercial vehicle operator, it's important NOT to collaborate with the driver's legal team or trust insurance adjusters who are working against your interests. Former claims adjuster Carl Nagle warns you to “remember that the insurance adjuster is being paid to oppose your claims, and you should not cooperate with their effort to avoid or minimize your injury claim payments”. Instead, seek representation from a seasoned North Carolina truck accident attorney who has a proven track record of success.

We represent victims, just like you, who have been injured by commercial trucks, including:

  • 18-Wheelers
  • Dump Trucks
  • Tanker Trucks
  • Refrigerator Trucks
  • Freightliners
  • Cargo Trucks
  • Package Delivery Trucks
  • Box Trucks
  • Flatbed Trucks
  • Tow Trucks
  • More
Truck-Accident

Have you been in a recent accident, and you're trying to figure out what to do next? Are you unsure whether you've been hit by a commercial vehicle or some other type of automobile? Contact Nagle & Associates today. During your free consultation, we'll help answer your questions and provide clarity during this admittedly confusing time.

Associates Difference

What Our Clients Say

The Nagle & Associates Difference

Nagle & Associates is a law firm that focuses exclusively in roadway accident cases. Carl Nagle and our legal team have collected millions of dollars in tax-free compensation for NC truck accident victims. With extensive experience in handling these intricate, high-value cases, we know how to motivate the claims adjuster to offer the highest settlement in every case.  And if the adjuster refuses to offer fair compensation, we will take your case to trial before a jury of your neighbors in the Superior Court of ---------------county in Rocky Mount, NC-------. Here are just a few ways that our NC truck accident law firm differentiates itself from others and helps you obtain maximum compensation when your case concludes.

Associates-lawyer
Accident Victims

Nagle & Associates isn't like other truck accident law firms, and that's by design. We don't advertise on the radio, over the phone, or on billboards. Instead, we focus those resources on benefitting our clients by providing caring yet highly effective legal services for every truck accident victim we represent. We also have a better fee structure than most other law firms focusing on commercial vehicle crashes.

Our lawyers operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning we don't get paid until the case is settled or your trial is complete. We are paid only IF AND WHEN you are paid. Most cases settle without the need for lawsuit filings or court involvement. This fee structure motivates us to push hard to collect the highest possible value for your injury claims. The more we collect for you, the higher the fee. Our goal is to increase the amount we collect for you so that you end up with far more money in hand when the case closes, even after the legal fee is deducted. The contingency fee is win/win for the lawyer and client. We handle everything and work to pay our own fee AND improve what you collect.

Whether your case is settled, or we go to court, you can also rely on a lower fee overall. Most personal injury law firms charge 1/3 of the settlement (33.3%) and 40-44% of any amount collected after a suit is filed. Our firm charges 1/4 of the settlement (25%) and 1/3 (33.3%) of any amount collected after a suit is filed. We only file suit in cases where the insurer refuses fair payment, knowing that litigation will increase the amount of money our client receives.

insurance adjuster

Carl has extensive experience in the insurance industry, having worked as an insurance adjuster and insurance defense lawyer in Atlanta, Georgia. He worked for several large commercial insurance carriers, and was paid to defend truck drivers, trucking companies, business owners, and their insurance carriers. Carl built on that experience and, for the last 30 years, has been a truck accident attorney in Rocky Mount, NC, dedicated to accident victims and their families. He focuses on serious injury cases arising from roadway accidents. As a niche practice with a particular focus on trucking accident cases, Carl and his team know exactly how to gain full control of your legal case and collect the highest possible payment for your truck accident claims.

pay injury claims

Trucking companies and businesses employing professional drivers carry high-limit liability insurance, often with a million dollars or more to pay injury claims. Federal law requires high coverage. Many truckers and trucking companies carry large, multi-million dollar excess policies that pay additional money to truck crash victims. They do so because injuries arising from commercial truck crashes are often far more severe than other type of auto injuries. Tractor trailers, dump trucks, cement mixers, and cargo trucks weigh 10-20 times more than typical cars, which increases the risk of severe, permanent injuries. It's not uncommon for truck accident victims to spend days, weeks, or months as they recover in Spring Arbor of Rocky Mount in Rocky Mount, NC.

Due to the serious nature of injuries in these crashes and the substantial insurance policies involved, commercial insurance companies hire skilled and experienced adjusters to handle truck accident injury claims. These adjusters are highly trained and receive higher compensation than other adjusters in the insurance industry. Their sole objective is to avoid or minimize valid claims. As your local ------Rocky Mount--- area truck accident lawyer, we take control of the adjuster and all insurance company communications so you don't get duped into admitting partial fault (which ends your case leaving you with zero compensation) or accepting a lowball offer.

However, if you do speak to an adjuster after your truck crash, remember that they'll be amicable and try to gain your trust while making every effort to settle for as little as possible. Never take legal advice from an insurance claims adjuster whose only job is to oppose your claim – no matter how nice and trustworthy they may seem. Diplomacy is their key to earning y our faith, so they can guide you into an unfair, irreversible settlement.

What are the Most Frequent Types of Trucking Accidents in North Carolina?

Even though heavy commercial trucks account for less than 5% of all registered vehicles nationwide, the FMCSA reports that over 13% of all fatal crashes on U.S. roads involved at least one large commercial truck or bus. Recent data published by the FMCSA indicates that there were over 273 million registered vehicles in the United States, including more than 13 million large commercial trucks like 18-wheelers. Of the people killed in commercial truck crashes, over 7 in 10 were occupants in other vehicles. While we rely on these multi-ton transporters to keep modern society moving, it's obvious that they can be very dangerous.

Keep reading to learn more about some of the most frequent tractor-trailer accidents we see at Nagle & Associates and why they happen.

Rear-End Truck Collisions

The size difference between commercial trucks and regular commuter cars is so massive that standard cars are often crushed in trucking accidents. That holds true for rear-end collisions. Unfortunately, because 18-wheelers take so much more time to slow down and come to a safe stop, truck drivers who are distracted or are speeding are often responsible for horrific injuries.

Rear-End Truck

Big Rig Rollovers

A truck rollover accident is one of the most devastating and frightening crashes that can occur. Unlike standard passenger cars, tractor-trailers and other large commercial trucks have a much higher center of gravity. That's why experienced truck drivers have to navigate tight turns and sudden swerves with extreme caution. If drivers attempt sudden turns or drive too fast for the conditions around them, the truck and trailer can flip over, causing the entire truck to roll onto its side. This creates a perilous and potentially fatal situation for everyone on the road. For example, an overloaded trailer leaving Stonewall Manor in Rocky Mount, NC, may sway side-to-side as it takes a turn, and roll over onto a driver in the next lane. While this seems unlikely, rollover crashes occur frequently on North Carolina streets and highways.

Big Rig Rollovers

Jackknife Truck Wrecks

Jackknife crashes happen when large trucks with hinged connections between the front and rear parts make incorrect turns or braking moves, causing the trailer to swing out widely and resemble a folding jackknife. This type of accident is extremely dangerous due to the unpredictable behavior of a sliding trailer, which can hit nearby vehicles and drag them along as the truck plows through traffic.

Jackknife Truck Wrecks

Head-On Truck Collisions

When truck operators drive recklessly, negligently, or simply lose control of their vehicles, they may veer out of their lane and into oncoming traffic. Head-on collisions can also occur at intersections, such as red lights or stop signs, when drivers fail to yield the right-of-way properly. There are many reasons why a truck might collide head-on with another vehicle. For instance, the truck driver could become fatigued after long hours of trying to meet demanding quotas and may drift into opposing lanes as they nod off. Regardless of the reason, victims of such accidents should always contact a truck accident attorney in Rocky Mount, NC, for guidance as they recover and seek compensation.

Head-On Truck

T-Bone Truck Accidents

T-bone accidents, also known as side-impact or broadside crashes, mostly happen at intersections. Big trucks going through intersections at right angles sometimes run red lights, ignore stop signs, or break the rules and end up crashing into the sides of other cars, making a “T” shape. These accidents can be especially traumatic for passengers who are sitting on the side of the car that the truck hits. Truck drivers who are speeding, not paying attention, tired, or drunk might run through intersections and cause T-bone accidents.

T-Bone Truck

What Types of Injuries Happen in North Carolina Trucking Accidents?

Auto accidents can happen to anyone, from locals commuting to their kid's soccer game to visitors traveling to the tourist attraction with the highest rating The Imperial Centre for the Arts Sciences in Rocky Mount, NC. When a large commercial truck is involved, the chances of getting injured are higher than they would be in a normal accident. Typical injuries that victims sustain in trucking-related wrecks include:

  • Traumatic Brain Injuries
  • Spinal Cord Injuries
  • Hip Injuries
  • Leg Injuries
  • Foot Injuries
  • Arm Injuries
  • Internal Injuries
  • Chest Injuries
  • Permanent Disfigurement
  • Neck Injuries

If you or someone you love is the victim of one or more of the accidents described above, call Nagle & Associates today. You need a reliable, proactive lawyer to fight for your rights when it seems like nobody has your back. Remember, though – time is of the essence. The truck driver's insurance company will begin working immediately to build defenses and minimize your compensation. With no up front cost, you can retain us to begin working on your behalf today.  Also, acting quickly ensures that your rights are not forfeited. North Carolina applies a statute of limitations for personal injury suits against truck drivers. If you fail to file suit before the dealine passes, you lose all rights to compensation for your truck accident injury case.

Injuries Happen in North

How to Choose a Top Truck Accident Injury Attorneys in Rocky Mount, NC

If you're hurt from a truck accident, it makes sense that you'd want a capable, fearless lawyer by your side. But how are you supposed to know which law firms are worth your time?

Similarly, not every truck accident lawyer who graduates from law school is a top attorney. When you're in search of representation for a truck accident case, it's important to find an attorney with a specific combination of skills that are well-suited to effectively handle the intricacies of your case.

Specialized Knowledge

Specialized Knowledge

Truck accidents are quite different from regular car accidents, primarily because of the substantial size and weight of commercial trucks. These factors often lead to more serious injuries and damages. Moreover, truck accident cases can involve many different parties, such as the truck driver, the trucking company, the shippers who employed the trucking company, cargo handlers who load cargo, insurance companies, and possibly those who repair and maintain the truck or the manufacturers of defective truck parts. An experienced commercial vehicle crash lawyer will know how to identify all responsible parties and all applicable insurance policies. The laws and regulations governing commercial trucks are also more intricate, including complex Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations and all state statutes and traffic laws that govern commercial drivers. Federal regulations govern driver qualification, driver training, truck inspections, equipment and weight limitations, driver conduct, driver fatigue and hours-in-service regulations, and driver crash response requirements. All of these factors should be considered in every commercial vehicle accident case.

Deep Understanding of State and Federal Trucking Regulations

As noted above, truck accident cases involve application of a mix of federal and state regulations. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) establishes rules that trucking companies and drivers must adhere to, including limits on driving hours and required rest periods. North Carolina also has its own set of laws concerning commercial trucks. An attorney who is well-versed in both federal and state regulations will be better able to pinpoint any violations that might have contributed to the accident. This can be a critical factor in proving liability and obtaining compensation for your injuries. A legal case arising from a crash caused by a commercial vehicle driver is entirely different than a typical car accident case. The claims adjuster who considers what to pay you will know if your lawyer has the experience necessary to win your case in court.

Deep Understanding

Reliable Network of Professionals and Resources

Overseeing a truck accident case requires accessibility to unique resources. Your lawyer should have connections to a team of experts who can offer valuable insights and testimony, including accident reconstruction experts, doctors/surgeons and other medical professionals, and trucking industry insiders. Having these connections can assist in determining the cause of the accident and the severity of your injuries, which is crucial for constructing a solid case. Great truck accident lawyers – like those from Nagle & Associates – will also be capable of conducting thorough investigations, gathering evidence, and successfully challenging large trucking companies and their insurance carriers.

Negotiation Talent

Negotiation Talent

Truck accident cases are typically resolved through out-of-court settlements by negotiating with insurance companies. That's why it's absolutely crucial to choose an attorney with a proven track record in tough negotiations. A skilled truck accident attorney in Rocky Mount, NC, won't have any issue negotiating with stubborn insurance adjusters who want to minimize the compensation you need to recover. And if a fair settlement can't be reached, we stand ready to take your case to court and passionately enforce your rights in front of a judge and jury.

Compassionate Guidance

The aftermath of a truck accident can be extremely challenging and distressing. You need an attorney who not only has a strong grasp of the legal aspects of your case but also genuinely cares about your well-being. A dedicated attorney who is genuinely concerned about your recovery and future will work tirelessly to ensure that you receive the full and fair compensation you deserve. This includes compensation for:

  • Past & Future Medical Bills
  • Lost Wages & Future Lost Earning Capacity
  • Scarring, Disfigurement and Tax-Free Compensation for Pain and Suffering
  • Vehicle Damage
  • Other Types of Damages
Compassionate Guidance

Nagle & Associates: Holding Negligent Truck Drivers Responsible for Over 30 Years

When you want a quality meal in a stunning atmosphere, you don't go to your local fast-food joint. You chose a finer dining option like highest-rated fine dining Tavern 19 Restaurant at Belmont Lake Preserve in Rocky Mount, NC. When you need a fearless advocate to fight for your rights after a trucking accident, you don't settle for a poorly rated law firm. You choose Nagle & Associates.

By identifying the root cause of your tractor-trailer accident, our dedicated attorneys can build a compelling case to hold all responsible parties accountable and get you the compensation you deserve. Whether it involves proving negligence, demonstrating violations of safety regulations, or confronting the adjusters and lawyers who oppose your case, we leverage our extensive experience to advocate on your behalf and help you obtain the compensation you need to move forward with your life. We also charge 25% less than other truck accident lawyers – we co this because we can. We have been very successful handling serious injury cases, and we are able to charge a lower percentage fee for the clients who choose us.  Keep more of your money, and know that we will fight for every dollar you deserve. Please contact our law offices today to schedule your free consultation and take the first step toward recovery.

Case Review

Latest News in Rocky Mount, NC

Rocky Mount business owners speak 1 week after tornado: 'Warnings hit different now'

Akilah Davishttps://abc11.com/post/rocky-mount-business-owners-speak-1-week-after-tornado-warnings-hit-different-now/15393760/

ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. (WTVD) -- Friday was Alex Burgess' first time back at his business, Alpha Automotive, since a tornado sent him to the hospital. The brace he wore and the abrasions on his back paint a picture of what he experienced a week ago."I have a fractured spine, seven broken ribs, and a torn MCL in my knee," said Burgess.He ...

ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. (WTVD) -- Friday was Alex Burgess' first time back at his business, Alpha Automotive, since a tornado sent him to the hospital. The brace he wore and the abrasions on his back paint a picture of what he experienced a week ago.

"I have a fractured spine, seven broken ribs, and a torn MCL in my knee," said Burgess.

He was working on the car that was still on the lift inside his shop when the tornado touched down. It happened so fast that Burgess and his partner didn't have time to run.

"He had his head cut open, hips injured and even broke his ankle," he said. "He's recovering."

Burgess said cinder blocks flew as strong winds leveled some of the buildings and shattered windows of more than a dozen of his customers' cars.

"Sometimes I feel like I let some people down," said Burgess.

It's clear by the damage it's going to take the business owners in the area a while to get back on their feet. There's no timeline on when they will reopen.

The Hing Ta Restaurant sits next door and Eduardo Luna was inside eating at the time of the storm's arrival.

"A table trapped my leg and somebody helped me get out," he said.

ALSO SEE: 5 Rocky Mount buildings deemed 'unsafe' after EF3 tornado

Luna was thankful he wasn't sitting in his car that now has a beam through the driver's seat. The front door of the restaurant was damaged and he was among many customers who had a hard time getting out.

"It was a little hole where everybody comes out. They crawled out," he said.

Valerie McClure's mom has owned the restaurant for 29 years.

"We had the structural engineer come out yesterday. We're going to present that to the city inspector to see if we can salvage any of the supplies on the inside," she said.

McClure works down the road at the Pfizer plant that was destroyed a year ago. Her family was impacted by storms two years in a row.

"Tornado warnings hit differently now," she said. "We take that very seriously."

The plan is to demo the entire dining area and add fencing around the property, but over at Alpha Automotive, the damage is far worse than the owner could imagine. It's why he started an online fundraiser: Fundraiser by Johnny Parrish: Support Alex's Recovery and Shop Rebuilding

"I'm one of those ones who don't ask for help, but the person I was renting from didn't have insurance," Burgess said.

Report a correction or typo

Copyright © 2024 WTVD-TV. All Rights Reserved.

5 Rocky Mount buildings deemed 'unsafe' after EF3 tornado

Elaina Athanshttps://abc11.com/post/rocky-mount-tornado-5-buildings-deemed-unsafe-after-ef3-tears-nash-county-city/15376106/

The National Weather Service says the powerful twister brought 140 mph winds.ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. (WTVD) -- Removal started Monday on destroyed vehicles that were lodged inside a Rocky Mount business during Friday's EF3 tornado. City leaders have not yet given the green light ...

The National Weather Service says the powerful twister brought 140 mph winds.

ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. (WTVD) -- Removal started Monday on destroyed vehicles that were lodged inside a Rocky Mount business during Friday's EF3 tornado. City leaders have not yet given the green light to clean up the debris.

Five buildings have been deemed unsafe in the wake of the twister and damage it left behind.

The City is waiting for a structural engineer to assess the buildings.

"That's the thing we worry about with damage like this is structural integrity," said Rocky Mount Plans Inspector Luis Ramirez. "There's a lot of weight involved."

City leaders said a medical supply building sustained the most damage and there are at least 100 oxygen tanks here. They are flammable and could combust.

"There are some oxygen tanks still in these vans that were set for delivery, but in the building itself, there are a large number of oxygen tanks," said Ramirez.

Rocky Mount is waiting for a company to remove the oxygen tanks.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey toured the damage and tried to assure residents that the department was there to help.

"If it's a business, and they had a commercial policy, it should be covered. If it's a homeowner and they had regular home damage, if a tree limb blows through somebody's roof, something like that, that's generally covered," said Causey.

The National Weather Service said the powerful twister brought winds of 140 mph.

K&W Cafeteria sits right next to where buildings were destroyed.

Manager Clarence Furse was working Friday. He said about 20 staff members and customers narrowly missed being hit by the tornado.

"I heard this loud pop sound and then a real booming sound, real loud. and the lights went out and you know, everybody was scared," he said.

There were no fatalities.

Ten people were rushed to UNC Health Nash after the tornado. Everyone has been treated at the hospital and released.

Report a correction or typo

Copyright © 2024 WTVD-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Rocky Mount tornado survivor shares terrifying experience: 'God brought us through'

Akilah Davishttps://abc11.com/post/rocky-mount-tornado-survivor-shares-terrifying-experience-god-brought-us/15369333/

"It happened so fast. It was a matter of seconds."ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. (WTVD) -- You can tell by talking to Clarence First he's a man of faith.First is a manager at the K & W Cafeteria next to the destruction Hurricane Helene left behind."God brought us through," he said. "For that tornado to hit right in...

"It happened so fast. It was a matter of seconds."

ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. (WTVD) -- You can tell by talking to Clarence First he's a man of faith.

First is a manager at the K & W Cafeteria next to the destruction Hurricane Helene left behind.

"God brought us through," he said. "For that tornado to hit right in back of us and not hit this building, I thank him for covering us."

First walked Eyewitness News through the terrifying moments a tornado touched down within steps of where he works. He was standing at the buffet line with a few employees demanding all customers take cover in the restrooms.

"It happened so fast. It was a matter of seconds. I heard this loud popping sound ..booming sound and the lights went out," he said. "One of the customers started praying. Employees were hollering. A lot of people were crying."

According to First, power in the area was out for nearly 24 hours. He showed off a light dangling from the entrance of K & W that was minor damage compared to the devastation behind the restaurant.

ALSO SEE: Helene blamed for 3 deaths in North Carolina, historic flooding and at least 4 tornadoes

Clarence First

The storm system tore through Rocky Mount's business district along Tiffany Boulevard, which remains shut down. Some of the damage includes windows blown out of cars, dumpsters flipped over, a roof collapse and a medical supply store completely wiped out.

"When I saw it yesterday, I was like wow. I was praying nobody was in the building that I knew," said Robert Green.

He used to shop at the medical supply store and drove from Whitakers to get a closer look at the damage. Green took pictures so he could add them to his collection at home.

"This is going to go up. even when it came through Dortches and hit the pharmaceutical plant. It's pictures like that I take," he said.

According to the City of Rocky Mount, "police will monitor the properties to ensure the safety and security of the area." Rebuilding could likely take months.

The aftermath of Helene is also felt and seen from eastern to western North Carolina. Federal agencies have advice for residents.

"When it's safe to do so, document whatever damage you may have. Take pictures and report that to your insurance," said Erik Hooks Deputy Administrator with FEMA.

RELATED: At least 56 dead and millions without power after Helene's deadly march across southeastern US

Report a correction or typo

Copyright © 2024 WTVD-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Cleanup is underway in Rocky Mount after EF-3 tornado leaves trail of damage

ABC11 Raleigh-Durhamhttps://abc11.com/post/nc-tornado-rocky-mount-begins-cleanup-after-stemmed-helene-left-trail-damage-injuries/15367427/

Rocky Mount Mayor C. Saunders Roberson, Jr. declared a state of emergency, and it will be in place until 5 p.m. on Sunday.ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. -- The effects of Helene touched all parts of our state.The most severe impact we saw in our area is in Rocky Mount after...

Rocky Mount Mayor C. Saunders Roberson, Jr. declared a state of emergency, and it will be in place until 5 p.m. on Sunday.

ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. -- The effects of Helene touched all parts of our state.

The most severe impact we saw in our area is in Rocky Mount after a tornado ripped through Friday. ABC11 crews are on the scene as cleanup is underway.

The 100-yard-wide tornado was an EF-3 with 140 mph winds and traveled for a quarter-mile, according to the National Weather Service.

An automotive repair shop and a restaurant were among 14 buildings on Tiffany Boulevard that sustained heavy damage, with some having roofs and walls torn away. Several vehicles were also damaged.

Crews on the ground for cleanup and assessments. Rocky Mount Mayor C. Saunders (Sandy) Roberson, Jr. declared a state of emergency, and it will be in place until 5 p.m. on Sunday.

WATCH | Cleanup crews on ground after Rocky Mount tornado

The tornado happened in the middle of the day with people outside and out dining with friends and family.

ABC11 spoke with witness Sonny Cardinelli Friday, who was inside the Hing Ta restaurant when the tornado moved through.

Cardinelli said he got as many people as he could under the table. He could hear items and debris falling on the table and around him.

"We were sitting there, we kept getting the tornado alerts, and then some of my family members told me that there was a tornado in the area," he said. "So, me and my granddaughter and a friend of hers ... sitting at the table, and I went to get my plate and when I seen the chimes going around and everything started spinning, so I ran to them and grabbed everyone I could and we went under the table. We were lucky."

Keisha Justice was inside her store, Pretty Essentials Women's Boutique, in the shopping center when the tornado struck.

"The front is completely gone," Justice said Friday of her business, which services cancer patients.

Rocky Mount Fire Chief Darvin Moore said 15 people were injured, four seriously, related to the tornado.

There was also at least one other confirmed tornado in Sampson County. It packed winds of 95 mph and traveled more than 3 miles, snapping trees and knocking down power poles on Helltown Road near Garland.

Three deaths in North Carolina are among the dozens of storm-related deaths nationwide.

The storm, now a post-tropical cyclone, is expected to hover over the Tennessee Valley into the weekend, the National Storm Center said. Several flood and flash flood warnings remain in effect in parts of the south and central Appalachians. High wind warnings are also issued in parts of Tennessee and Ohio.

Cleanup Resources & More

Crisis Cleanup has issued a number available for folks to call for assistance with debris cleanup from Hurricane Helene: (844) 965-1386. All services are free, but not guaranteed. The hotline will remain open through Friday, October 11.

Crisis Cleanup has issued the phone number available for folks to call for assistance with debris cleanup from Hurricane Helene. Call (844) 965-1386.All services are free, but service is not guaranteed. This hotline will remain open through Friday, October 11, 2024. pic.twitter.com/8VauFN02C9

— NC Emergency Management (@NCEmergency) September 28, 2024

You can report a power outage at 57801, use the Duke Energy app or their website.

You can check for road closures due to the storm.

'Terrible' Helene leaves western NC with major flooding, all roads declared closed

Lake Lure Dam no longer at risk of breaching following inspection, emergency officials say

Report a correction or typo

Copyright © 2024 ABC11-WTVD-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved - The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Rocky Mount residents thankful tornado wasn't worse: 'It was scary'

Bianca Holmanhttps://abc11.com/post/helene-rocky-mount-residents-thankful-tornado-wasnt-worse-was-scary/15365793/

ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. (WTVD) -- This tornado showed no mercy, picking up cars like toys and tossing them hundreds of yards. Rocky Mount residents are thankful that the tornado was not fatal.Sonny Caridnale recalled the moments the twister touched down. It was just after 1:30 p.m. on Friday, as he was out to eat with his family along North Wesleyan Boule...

ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. (WTVD) -- This tornado showed no mercy, picking up cars like toys and tossing them hundreds of yards. Rocky Mount residents are thankful that the tornado was not fatal.

Sonny Caridnale recalled the moments the twister touched down. It was just after 1:30 p.m. on Friday, as he was out to eat with his family along North Wesleyan Boulevard.

"Everything was spinning inside the room. Bricks. Everything was going around in circles in there. And we just all grabbed and went up under the tables," said Sonny Cardinale. "There was still stuff hitting us, in the back and on top of us."

According to Rocky Mount Emergency Management, 15 people were hurt, four of whom had serious injuries, and 14 buildings were damaged, 11 extensively. Cardinale and others helped to pull out one man pinned under the debris. On the other side of the shopping center, Keisha Justice who serves cancer patients shared a similar account.

I heard someone screaming. There was people that were in that building. And with that, all I heard was help, help.- Keisha Justice

"I heard those sounds and I told him I was like, let's, let's run it, let's take cover. And so we went to the bathroom, which is what we knew was the safest place to be," said Justice of Pretty Essentials Women's Boutique.

When Justice looked out her doors seconds later, she saw a medical supply business demolished.

"I heard someone screaming. There was people that were in that building. And with that, all I heard was help, help," Justice said. "She was covered with bricks, and the only thing I could do at that point was call 911 because I was too afraid to come out. I didn't know if the tornado was circled back around or if it was done."

Justice described the view as a war zone. Vehicles tossed across the parking lot; windows busted; signs ripped like paper; and light posts strung like yarn.

Hair stylist Demetrius Barnes was thankful she was able to keep a young client calm.

"It's amazing what a storm can do. And we were just spared. It could've been worse," said Barnes.

People living in the nearby Tiffany Park Apartments were also affected. Metal siding and large branches were scattered across the parking lot, making it difficult to drive.

Kaishaun Brown and Jordan Auston, had frightening moments during their day off from school, with a large tree limb breaking a window.

"It fell on my dresser, on the TV stand, near my Xbox, glass, the whole part on the window is on the floor," said Kaishaun.

"It was scary. I was hoping everyone was OK," said Jordan.

Rocky Mount residents and emergency crews will continue to assess the damage and clean up into the weekend.

A State of Emergency has been declared by Mayor Sandy Roberson. It is in place till 5 p.m. Sunday.

Disclaimer:

This website publishes news articles that contain copyrighted material whose use has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. The non-commercial use of these news articles for the purposes of local news reporting constitutes "Fair Use" of the copyrighted materials as provided for in Section 107 of the US Copyright Law.
lm-lawyer-portaite

Service Areas