Cleanup underway after tornado leaves trail of destruction in Dover, Delaware
Cleanup is underway after a powerful tornado tore through Dover, Delaware, leaving behind an extensive trail of destruction.
One of the hardest-hit areas was along North Dupont Highway, where a large section of a roof was torn off two motels.
The Dover Police Department says the tornado damaged about half a dozen structures, mostly commercial buildings, including the Kraft-Heinz factory.
The National Weather Service has confirmed that, based on the damage, an EF-1 tornado with estimated peak winds of at least 105 mph hit the Dover area. Crews continue to survey the area, and the NWS says it will share more information in the days to come.
Residents said it sounded like a freight train when the twister came through.
Mike Henry has been living at the Super Lodge motel for five months because he's fallen on hard times. The Red Cross is giving him another place to stay for a week, but he says his entire life is in the motel and he just wants to get his cats out.
"Well, the Super Lodge, they condemned it," Henry said. "We have the two cats in there, and it's like, we're uprooted, you know. We can't get our cats. That's the biggest thing right now, getting the cats out. At least not let them die in there."
Dover Little League's fall season now at risk
The police say another area hit hard was the park where the Dover Little League team plays. The scoreboard was torn down, and light posts snapped in half like toothpicks. Fortunately, there are no reports of any injuries.
The fields are closed after sustaining significant damage from the tornado Thursday evening, potentially putting the league's fall season at risk.
The Dover Little League said in a social media post that its fields sustained significant damage during Thursday's storms.
The league said its Senior, Majors, 50/70 and both tee-ball fields are closed while officials assess the damage and determine next steps.
Dover Little League President Tamara Hartsel said the extensive damage was tough to see.
"I pulled around the corner here, and tears just started streaming down my face," Hartsel said.
The league, which is run by volunteers, has about 300 families registered for its upcoming fall ball season. Fall games were set to start Sept. 8.
"We're gonna rebuild. We're gonna be back," Hartsel said. "Goal is to definitely be back by the spring and have this place be better than it ever has been."
For now, the fields are closed until they're deemed safe.
For the Little Leaguers, the fields are a home away from home.
"I was devastated. It's my home field," player Michael Rooney said. "I play here all the time."
