A HOUSE RESOLUTIon recognizing the anniversary of the april 16, 2011, tornadoes that affected many counties in north carolina, especially bertie county.
Whereas, on April 16, 2011, storms producing tornadoes and flooding swept through North Carolina affecting 30 of the State's 100 counties, including Bertie, Bladen, Craven, Cumberland, Currituck, Greene, Halifax, Harnett, Hertford, Hoke, Johnston, Lee, Onslow, Pitt, Robeson, Sampson, Wake, and Wilson; and
Whereas, a total of 28 tornadoes, the most recorded in State history, affected citizens, property, and businesses across North Carolina; and
Whereas, the tornadoes caused the deaths of 24 people, half of whom were residents of Bertie County, including: Louis Chamblee, Gayle Hinchey, Barbara Lafferty, Roy Lafferty, Jr., Peggy Leary, Dorothy Mitchell, Robert Perry, Milton Sutton, Mildred Warren, Celia White, Helen Alston White, and Mary Williams; and
Whereas, as one of the hardest hit counties, Bertie County suffered extensive damage, especially in the surrounding areas in the Town of Colerain; and
Whereas, due to the destruction of 67 homes and major damage to 20 others in Bertie County, at least 87 families were displaced; and
Whereas, the storm‑related damage in Bertie County was over $2.5 million; and
Whereas, the residents of Bertie County possess a resilient spirit and quickly came together to help their neighbors after the storms; and
Whereas, today, the residents of Bertie County have rebuilt their homes and businesses and have shown that they can move forward after a natural disaster; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
SECTION 1.  The House of Representatives honors the memory of the North Carolinians who lost their lives due to the tornadoes on April 16, 2011.
SECTION 2.  The House of Representatives joins the citizens of Bertie County affected by those tornadoes in commemorating April 16, 2013, as Bertie County Day.
SECTION 3.  This resolution is effective upon adoption.