Watch CBS News

Strong Storms Severely Damage Homes In New Castle County, Del.

By Todd Quinones

NEW CASTLE, DEL., (CBS) -- Strong storms ripped through New Castle County, Delaware, severely damaging several homes Monday night.

PHOTOS: Storm Rips Through Delaware Valley

Video taken as the storm ripped through shows the powerful wind gusts. Another viewer snapped a picture of what appears to be a funnel shaped cloud.

The fast moving storm hit Robscott Manor hard. Several homes here have been severely damaged.

Sherry Hess didn't have time to run downstairs to look for better shelter.

"I could just feel the wind getting more powerful, so then I hid inside the closet," she said. "I was just praying that everyone would be alright."

All Sean and Amber Sudler could do is hug each other as they looked at their home that was nearly cut in two by a massive tree in their yard.

At the time the storm hit just before 5 p.m. Monday evening, typically Amber would've been home on a couch playing with her three young children, but instead she decided Monday to take the kids shopping.

"Somebody would've been right there, so we are blessed," Sean Sudler said.

"Thank God," Amber Sudler said.

Questions about whether or not this was a tornado persist in the neighborhood.

"Fortunately there are no injuries. That's the most important and now it's about safety," New Castle County Police Corporal John Weglarz said.

Ollie Fleck says within seconds the storm came in, hit and then left.

"By the time I got downstairs, it was over. There was just debris and stuff everywhere. It had to be pretty forceful to knock down 50 foot trees, roots and everything," Fleck said.

In nearby Woodland Village, strong winds brought down trees and damaged one house.

The National Weather Service is expected to inspect the storm damage Tuesday morning to try and determine if this was a tornado that touched down.

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.