Several citizens, teachers and a few students gathered across the street from Pleasant Hill Elementary School for a celebration service this afternoon. The purpose was to simply recognize and say thank you to the first responders who arrived after a tornado struck the school last Thursday afternoon.

Pleasant Hill Mayor Lisa Patrick said the town was very fortunate.

“Pleasant Hill is a very special place made up of citizens from all over the globe. I want to thank God first and foremost because the tornado not only hit next to a church with part of it being glass siding, the school, out community building and the Upland Village and no major injuries or deaths took place,” said Mayor Patrick.

At last report, five sustained very minor injuries in the town.

“I want to give major recognition to the Cumberland County Fire Department, Cumberland County Emergency Management Agency, Cumberland County Emergency Medical Services, the teachers and staff of Pleasant Hill Elementary School, the town maintenance crew, Volunteer Energy Cooperative and especially the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Department for all of their help right after the tornado struck,” added Mayor Patrick.

One member of the sheriff’s department in attendance was Pleasant Hill SRO Officer Anthony Justice.

“Am I really looking at a tornado? I second guessed myself at first. Then my thought immediately shifted to get the kids back inside the school,” said Justice.

He commented on being called a hero by many for his actions.

“I’m no hero. I was just doing my job in protecting the students and staff,” said Justice.

Deputy Justice described the incoming tornado that took inside of a minute to get to where he was.

“It jumped over the Upland Village building, pretty much landed on the community building right in front of the school and came right at us.”

The short gathering today ended with the singing of “Amazing Grace” and a moment of silence to give thanks that the incident was not any worse than it was.

School was out last Friday as a result of the tornado. Director of Schools Dr. Ina Maxwell announced yesterday schools will be back in session tomorrow (Monday, April 12, 2021).

The National Weather Service issued their survey summary of the tornado that hit Cumberland County. It was rated an EF-0 with winds of 85 miles per hour. Its path length was nearly 6 miles (5.8) and the maximum width was 125 yards.

The tornado rapidly spun up near Highway 70 and Browntown Road causing minor tree damage. The tornado then moved directly into the Pleasant Hill community where several structures were damaged. At this point, the tornado was the strongest and widest here.

The tornado then travelled along Bud Tanner Road causing mostly downed trees, although there were a couple of homes with minor roof and siding damage. Minor tree damage continued to be observed on Claysville Road and Stonecrest Loop where the tornado weakened considerably and finally dissipated.