May 11, 2008

A Darien woman said she just barely escaped the tornado.

Donna Coppell said she heard it coming. “It got real dark and the rain got heavier then it started hailing and then wind blowing and ripped the roof off,” said Donna Poppell.

When the storm hit Donna said she was stuck inside, the door was jammed and there were ceiling tiles and equipment flying around. When it was all over she came out of the back of the trailer to find overturned cars, rubble in the water, busted car windows, and boats everywhere.

“My husband, well his crab boat sank, but they've gotten it up and several of the boats broke loose from the docks,” said Poppell.

The sailing school owners next door said they came in from Savannah to find the storm leftovers. “When we got there all these boats were tangled in the power lines and what we did, is we were liberating them from the power lines,” said Joe Jurskish owner of Sail School.

Now walking over these downed power lines they are all amazed at the damage. Hoping this sight isn't one they will see again anytime soon.

Donna said she is happy she survived, knowing that this is a Mother’s Day she will never forget.

Copyright 2008 by WJCL 22 / ABC and WTGS / FOX28, The Coastal Source