THOMASVILLE, NC - It’s a feeling that stays with you; living through a tornado, picking up the pieces after its winds destroy homes and businesses.
“Goosebumps and cold chills,” said Lynn Feredinos.
Her restaurant, Skipper’s Seafood, was destroyed in November of 2011, after a tornado ripped through the area.
It took 8 months to rebuild, but the frightening feelings stay with her over five years later.
Lynn remembers hiding in the cooler with her husband and co-workers. She listened to the weather alerts all day- but only had a few minutes to prepare when she receiving a chilling phone call.
"Somebody called us from the fire department and said that a tornado was headed this way and as soon as that girl hung up the phone, the rumbling began, like a train was going through."
The seemingly normal work day took a different turn, after Lynn’s husband, Evangelos, ordered employees and customers into the restaurant’s coolers.
“Next thing, water was pouring, no electricity and everyone was screaming,” remembered Feredinos. “Just light a freight train was coming right over the roof.”
The terrifying moment passed as quickly as it came. When the Feredinos stepped outside to see what was left of their business, their hearts dropped.
“Everything you work for is gone.”
Hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of repairs and to this day, you can still see some cracks on the walls masked by painted murals. It’s a daily reminder to Lynn, who sometimes shakes at the thought of another storm destroying her dreams.
“Every time I hear of strong winds, my heart just beats faster and I get chills.”
It wasn’t the only tragedy that hit Lynn and the restaurant. Six weeks after they reopened, her husband died unexpectedly.
The idea of something happening to her restaurant for a second time- without the support of her rock, her husband, is unimaginable.
"Sad feeling. I think now, oh my god, is this going to happen again?” Lynn said holding back tears. “It’s hard, very hard.”
Lynn had insurance- so it made it easier to pay to rebuild. But there are some businesses next to hers that never reopened. She said her lesson learned- you can replace things, buildings, but you can't replace people.