Cumberland County Mayor Allen Foster went to Pleasant Hill Elementary School late yesterday to survey damage after an EF-0 tornado hit the facility.

Mayor Foster issued the following statements right after touring the area:

“Blessed.

There is no other way to say it. I’m not sure if the tornado jumped over the school or just barely skimmed the top, but I hate to think about what would have happened if it hadn’t.

I have had the chance to see our first responders in action on multiple occasions and it always gives me a great sense of pride. Cumberland County is blessed with some of the best women and men in the business. We should all be proud of our sheriff’s department, police, emergency medical services, emergency management agency, fire departments, and rescue squad.

In this situation we should also be thankful for the Pleasant Hill Student Resource Officer Anthony Justice, the school faculty, and staff that rose to the occasion to protect our students and each other. 

Seeing them in action makes me proud to live in such a great place and to be the Cumberland County Mayor!”

Mayor Foster ended his statement with a Bible verse:

For I know the plans I have for you” — this is the LORD’S declaration — “plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. – Jeremiah 29:11