PUNTA GORDA, Fla. -- Neighbors on Aspen Road in Punta Gorda remain positive while picking up pieces of their homes, Tuesday, despite damage caused by a tornado late Monday night.
Twentythree-year-old Kevin Rogers showed Fox 4 what is now left of his family barn. "I have a lot of memories in this barn. I've had it since I was 13. Now it's gone," he said.
An EF1 tornado left behind a trail of destruction while Rogers was at work. Sheets of metal from the barn was found across their property near railroad tracks. "I left for work and everything was fine. I came back, there was nothing left," Rogers said.
His mother, Gayle Rogers, was sleeping inside their home separate from the barn when the tornado touched down. A neighbor gave her the news and the two went to corral horses that got loose. "I can't believe how fast things can change and how much we take for granted," she said.
Amongst the wreckage was the family's truck flipped on it's top. Despite the devastation, Gayle Rogers can make a joke. "It's very shocking. Chevy trucks..indestrubible! I can probably still drive it!"
No one was hurt during the tornado and all the family's animals survived with the exception of one duck. "I've seen much worse and I've known much worse, so I am thankful for all the positive things as far as no loss of life," said Gayle.
"We're going to clean this mess up and build it back stronger than ever," said Kevin.
