‘Struggling but getting by’: Kitsap County releases update on homes damaged by tornado

The Kitsap County Department of Emergency Management released updated tornado damage tallies Sunday that showed 20 homes in the Port Orchard area have been marked unsafe with reg tags and another 28 marked with yellow tags indicating significant damage.

Photos following the tornado
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Several hundred homes have been inspected for damage after the EF2 tornado touched down last Tuesday. No serious injuries were reported.

KIRO 7 stopped by one of the streets Sunday with homes heavily damaged by the tornado. Many houses were still boarded and covered with tarps, cars battered.

“Struggling, but getting by,” said neighbor Cathy Jameson, whose home was damaged and has been yellow tagged.

She’s able to stay in her home but told KIRO 7 she spent days without power and just got running water Saturday. She was able to get her Christmas shopping done and presents wrapped Sunday.

“We got lucky,” said Jameson, who said she was home when the tornado hit. “Grabbed my older dog and ducked under the table.”

Another neighbor on Cathy’s street told KIRO 7 his insurance company still hasn’t been out to inspect the damage, leaving the family unsure when they’ll be able to return home.

“Very grateful, yeah,” said Jameson. “The neighbor next door will be out of her house for probably four months or so.”

The Kitsap County Department of Emergency Management released the following information on free resources:

Displaced families seeking immediate assistance, including emergency lodging, are encouraged to contact the American Red Cross at 1-800-295-3717.

Impacted homeowners are also able to receive assistance with damage to their homes and property from Team Rubicon free of charge by calling 360-525-4978 or emailing joseph.crossgraves@Teamrubiconusa.org. Team Rubicon will continue to register local volunteers ready to support the disaster recovery effort.

Christian Life Center at 1780 Lincoln Ave SE, Port Orchard, will serve as the Volunteer Registration Center on Sunday, December 23 from 9 am – 4 pm.

Please enter through the office entrance located on the north side of the building.

By: Michael Spears, KIRO 7