CLEVELAND — Some members of a Cleveland church are facing extensive repairs to their more than 140-year-old building after a tornado Thursday tore off a large portion of the roof.
The National Weather Service confirmed a EF-1 tornado with 110 mile-per-hour wind speeds was responsible for toppling trees and power lines, and ripping the roof from New Life at Cavalry Church.
“This is bad, you know?” said Michael Merritt, while watching city crews clean the debris. “This is bad.”
Merritt and Diane Beasley have visited the church for more than 30 years. They stopped by Friday morning to see the extent of the damage.
“I can’t believe this happened in Cleveland,” Beasley said.
City of Cleveland crews cleared shards of wood and shingles scattered in front of the church on 79th Street.
“We are hoping that good comes out of this, you know?” Merritt said. “The community comes together and we all stick together, because this is a fixture for us. This is a fixture.”
Thursday’s storm left a path of destruction close to home for the couple. Beasley lives in the building next to the church. Her daughter lives the next block over.
“She said they had to jump in the bathtub, you know?” Merritt said, referring to Beasley’s daughter.
“Yeah, she said they had to get in the bathroom and get in the tub,” Beasley said.
A gaping hole now exposes the inside of the church.
“Everybody around this neighborhood and community, they depend on this church,” Merritt said. “’Cause it’s been here for a long time.”
They’re hopeful the place of refuge and support can now get some help to rebuild.
“At a time of need right now, we need each other,” Merritt said.
