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‘We don’t want to go through that again’ | South Charlotte neighbors recall last year’s devastating tornado

Many are now preparing for another potential threat with severe storms on the way.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Neighbors in South Charlotte say they still remember the sight and sounds when an EF-1 tornado flew through their neighborhood on Feb. 6, 2020. Now a year later many are worried they might have to go through the same destruction with the threat of another severe storm moving through the area.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: NWS confirms EF-1 tornado in south Charlotte

Last year’s tornado caused trees to be uprooted -- some crashing through fences and homes -- gutters and siding also blew away, and a lengthy clean-up process followed.

“The tornado stayed for maybe 45 seconds and it’s been seven months to repair everything,” homeowner Steve Barringer told WCNC Charlotte.

His wife Gail was home alone at the time the tornado hit.

“I was scared to death,” Gail said. “It was the scariest thing I’ve ever been through.”

Credit: Gail Barringer

Thankfully, she was able to seek shelter in the basement just seconds before a pair of trees outside came extremely close to crashing through the roof of the bedroom she had been in.

Credit: Gail Barringer

Now the couple says if another severe storm like that rolls through they will be more prepared like removing their outdoor patio furniture inside and seeking shelter sooner.

“We’re going to go downstairs so we won’t be upstairs should that happen again," Steve said.

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