Local

Rockledge residents still grappling with damage from brief tornado touchdown

ROCKLEDGE, Fla. — A weak tornado touched down in Rockledge for less than a minute Friday, but residents were still struggling with the aftermath Monday.

Margie Miles was in her living room moments before the EF-0 twister hit.

In the few seconds the winds buffeted her home of 42 years, the tornado ripped a hole in the roof and caused enough damage for officials to deem it unsafe to be occupied.

Resident Wanda Morales was in the car with her daughter when the tornado hit and saw it rip the roof off of a vacant home on Buckingham Court.

When they saw it move toward Miles’ home, Morales tried to call her but was not able to get through.

“I got my phone and called her, but she didn’t answer the phone,” Morales said. “So, we came running and knocked on the door.”

Miles was not injured by the tornado, but was shaken by what happened.

“It’s a shock, because when I was over at my brother’s house, it was difficult to sleep Friday night,” Miles said. “Tossing and turning. You can’t believe it.”

While it will be a while before she can sleep in her own home again, Miles knows it will work out and that the people around her will help that happen.

“We serve an awesome God and he’s given me the strength, the church members and community and neighbors especially,” she said.