LOUISVILLE, KY. (WDRB) -- Tornado-ravaged residents are rushing to repair their homes before more storms hit this weekend. Crews are hustling to get work done in the Jeffersontown area, where a huge clean-up is underway.
The problem is not just the storms expected on Sunday, but the freezing rain expected Friday night. It could cause damage to the inside of some homes if they are not fixed in time.
Tuesday was a tough day for residents, who never thought a tornado would actually touch down in their neighborhood. "Scared to death," said Debbie Knight, of her first experience with a tornado. "I've never been in a tornado before. I've been through a hurricane, which you have two days to prepare for a hurricane, you can't prepare for a tornado."
There is no way anyone can prepare for their windows being blown out, garage doors smashed, and backyards torn to pieces. You could see right through the roof of a house near J-town after an EF-1 tornado plowed through the area Tuesday. By Friday, roofers were scraping it clean and popping on a new roof. "But every house down this side has some kind of roof damage. Extensive roof damage," said Knight.
She is bracing herself for another possible line of severe storms expected this weekend. Her house has a little bit of damage. Her neighbors weren't so lucky. "They're scrambling to get done before something hits again because nobody wants to be caught off guard," said Knight.
Among all of the debris and trees on the ground, roofs are a priority. Steve Duncan with Kentuckiana Restoration says homes with tarps should be okay. One home near Jeffersontown was one of the worst hit, and a big hole in the roof has already caused water damage inside. "This one, the sheeting down to the rafters, not going to withstand a lot of rain stuff like that, so we're trying to get the worst ones first," said Duncan.
This weekend, Debbie Knight will be ready for what's ahead. "I won't doubt the weather guy anymore. When he says get in your basement, I'm going," she said matter-of-factly.
You can call Metro United Way's 211 if you need help with storm damage.
