CLAREMONT, N.C. — A Catawba County man was killed and several others were hurt when an EF-1 tornado hit a mobile home community Tuesday afternoon.
According to Catawba County Communications, the man died around 1 p.m. shortly after the tornado struck along Evening Drive, which is just off Old Catawba Road in Claremont. The man was later identified as 39-year-old Dustin Weaver. Family and neighbors say he was protecting his pregnant girlfriend when the storm hit.
"They were outside when they'd seen it coming, and they jumped onto the trailer and he threw himself on top of her," a relative of Weaver said. "It literally picked the trailer up and wouldn't come back down. He didn't make it."
She said the trailer completely moved from the back end of the property to the road, leaving just a corner of the trailer standing after the storms.
"We didn't think that she made it either but they told us that she did," the family member said. "Now we're just trying to hear news about the baby. But he did save her life, he possibly saved that baby's life as well."
“He was awesome, if he loved you, he loved you," Richard Pac, Weaver's cousin, said.
"Unfortunately, he’s not going to be around to see his baby being born, but he saved her life as well as his baby’s life," neighbor Tammy Howard said.
Catawba County officials later confirmed that several mobile homes were damaged during the storms. WCNC Charlotte meteorologist Brittany Van Voorhees was with National Weather Service surveyors as they examined the damage to determine if it was caused by a tornado.
Tuesday's storm also brought localized flooding, downed trees and power lines as well as power outages throughout Catawba County and surrounding areas.
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About 30 people were displaced from their homes due to the storms. The county is relocating displaced people to a temporary shelter at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, located at 3180 W. Main Street in Claremont.
“We’re the pace that gives the people the next step," Scott Loudermelt, the Executive Director for the Red Cross Blue Ridge Piedmont Chapter, said.
As of Wednesday morning, five people were at the shelter.
Catawba County residents who are seeking shelter at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church are asked to bring the following:
- Medications and related medical supplies
- Personal care items (toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.)
- A change of clothes
- Food if you have special food needs
- A pillow and blanket if you prefer to use your own
Residents with questions about shelter accommodations may call (828) 465-8355.
As of publication, the person who passed away has not been identified.
Storms on Tuesday also felled several trees in the area. One WCNC Charlotte viewer sent in security video showing the winds gusting by, knocking over trees and sending debris flying by.
Photos shared with WCNC Charlotte showed one tree falling just in front of a car and another's branches resting on another. One photo also showed what appeared to be a damaged billboard along a highway.
WEATHER AWARE: Tornado watch issued for several counties in the Carolinas
WCNC Charlotte is working to learn more about any other impacts in Catawba County and the surrounding area including downed trees and power lines.
If you see damage or severe weather in your area, you can use the Near Me feature in the free WCNC Charlotte mobile app to share it with us. Make sure you are safe before sending anything in.
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