Suffolk school practices tornado drills

SUFFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - Elephant's Fork Elementary School in Suffolk joined schools statewide in conducting tornado drills.

The school has a special interest in seeing the drill go smoothly: they were at ground-zero of the tornado that hit Suffolk in April 2008. The storm blew out windows and totaled a dozen cars in the parking lot including Assistant Principal Sid Neighbours' car.

"I had an SUV at the time that was totaled and all the windows were blown out except for the windshield including the sun roof," he said.

And raging winds destroyed scores of nearby homes.

"It was just as some people say. It was a loud rush like a train and followed by a heavy wind," said Principal Vereka Gatling.

Students filed out of classrooms and crouched along hallways and gymnasium walls - interior spaces determined to offer some safety in the event of a tornado.

Special Education teacher Becky Hamlin was in school that fateful day in 2008.

"That doesn't sound right. And we all looked at each other and the wind, the noise, just got louder and louder," she said. "It dawned on us in about three seconds what was happening to us. "

Alissa Felgentreu was a third grader back then.

"We just heard this loud noise and my tutoring teacher just stood up and screamed and we all ran across the hall," she said.

"It didn't last long," Neighbours said. "They really do sound like a freight train."

This drill was mandatory but the school practices throughout the school year. Students knew where to go and how to assume positions quickly and quietly.

They will be ready if severe weather threatens again.