Watch CBS News

'It Was Horrible': Laurel, Delaware Tornado Rips Apart Homes, Barns

LAUREL, Del. (CBS) -- The National Weather Service confirmed a tornado touched down in Laurel, Delaware, overnight, leaving behind a path of destruction for miles. Officials say an EF-2 tornado, with maximum wind speeds of 120 mph, tore through the town.

The tornado traveled 6.2 miles and ended in Seaford, Delaware.

Drone video from the Laurel Fire Department shows the path of destruction left by the tornado in Sussex County. The storm's 120 mph winds ripped apart homes and barns and many roads were blocked by downed power lines. Some buildings were also completely decimated.

Laurel storm damage aerial video (April 15, 2019)

Aerial video from the vicinity of Seaford Road (US 13A) north of Laurel, Sussex County, in southwestern Delaware. Numerous structures have sustained moderate to severe damage from storms, possibly tornadic, that rolled through early Monday morning, April 15, 2019. Video courtesty of DelDOT.

Posted by Laurel Fire Dept. on Monday, April 15, 2019

"You don't know what to do," said Kim McWilliams.

McWilliams, of Laurel, was sleeping when fast-moving winds ripped the roof off above her bedroom.

"It was horrible. It was a loud whistle and then like a roar, and it was terrible. It was scary," said McWilliams.

She tried finding anywhere in her home for cover as debris started flying everywhere.

"I got up and was hiding behind a recliner in the living room. What are you gonna do? You hear stuff moving, you're gonna hit the floor," said McWilliams.

Nearby, an Utz Food Distribution Center is missing walls and a delivery truck was knocked over. Utz usually opens around 6 a.m., so there was no one inside when the storm passed through.

"Thankfully no one was here and everybody is safe," said Matt Smith, of Utz.

The storm also caused widespread damage across New Jersey and Pennsylvania, ripping a roof off an apartment building in Camden, New Jersey and uprooting trees.

Aerial shots of some of the damage sustained during the early morning storm.

Posted by Laurel Fire Dept. on Monday, April 15, 2019

The storm system that hit the area also decimated communities in the south over the weekend.

At least 10 tornadoes damaged or destroyed more than 100 homes in Mississippi and the severe weather is blamed for at least eight deaths.

For the latest weather updates, download the CBS Philly Weather App on your Apple or Google Play devices.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.