DOVER, Del.— Heavy winds and even tornadoes on battered Kent County, toppling trees and seriously damaging some buildings in the Dover area.
Among the buildings with the most damage was William Henry Middle School, which saw sections of its roof ripped away.
“It’s just, I think, almost a total loss. It’s a significant loss to the community,” said Gov. John Carney (D-Delaware), who toured damaged sections of Dover and viewed aerial drone footage of the school.
For many in the Dover area, Isaias seemed to gain intensity very quickly after 9 a.m. By that point in the morning, many roads with poor drainage had started to flood as intense winds whipped through the area.
Joanne Cartanza said she was on the phone when she noticed lawn furniture being blown about her porch.
Soon, decades-old trees planted by her father began snapping from what she believed to be tornadic activity south of the city in her neighborhood, Pennwood.
“We’re dragging tree limbs and it’s been very upsetting because these trees have been very sentimental to me and now they’re going to have to come down,” she said.
Nearby, members of Calvary Church near South State Street cleaned up pieces of roof that had been ripped from the church’s education center.
“I’m a little surprised that it hit like this. I’m a little surprised but thank God we listened to the warnings,” said Pastor Coon at Calvary Church.
Dover quickly implemented a state of emergency to assist with efforts to repair downed power lines and trees.
Mayor Robin Christiansen said the city was discouraging unnecessary travel.
“We want as few people on the streets as possible so that way crews can take care of trees,” he said.
