Homes lifted off foundations as storm hit in Cleveland County

CLEVELAND COUNTY, N.C. — Emergency management officials said the small towns of Polkville and Lawndale in Cleveland County were the hardest hit by the storm.

"I have my little Halloween stuff on the door, man I'm not gonna cry, I'm not gonna cry," resident JoAnn Perez said to Channel 9 as she showed the extreme damage to her home.

[Chopper 9 flies over storm damage]

The storm lifted up her home and literally cracked it in two.

"The fire department said don't go in the house, but when you're poor and that's all you have you have to get what you can get," Perez said.

Perez's brother and her neighbor spent Tuesday helping her salvage some her possessions.

More storm damage coverage:

Meanwhile, Yvone Floyd's driveway collapsed and took her prized 1999 Buick Regal.

"I took such good care of this car. I love this car," Floyd said.

Teresa Jeffers isn't sure whether when she'll be able to go back to work at Lawndale's post office.

“It was scary,” Jeffers said. “It was scary."

The heavy winds scattered parts of the roof throughout the parking lot and on top of cars.

“I am just thankful nobody got hurt,” Jeffers said.

Crews worked overnight to remove trees on the roads in an effort to restore power to the town of about 600 people.

Workers said they aren't sure when the post office will be able to open. They are waiting for officials to come out and determine whether the building is safe to enter.