TAMPA, Fla. — Several homes in Citrus County received extensive damage from the tornado that hit the area Thursday morning.

What You Need To Know

  • Citrus was one of several counties that saw damage from the tornado

  • The pastor of a local church said he saw minimal damage with debris from businesses nearby falling into his yard

  • Christopher Satchell says he’s thankful his home and church were left unharmed

Christopher Satchell and his family were hard at work Thursday picking up debris after a tornado impacted their community.

“That is a piece of the racetrack canopy," he said of one piece of debris. "There were missiles, so to speak, out here — metal blowing from every direction you can think of.”

In his more than 30 years of living in this area, Christopher Satchell said he’s never seen anything like this.

“I heard the sound like a train coming and I said, 'Wow this is going to be a hit,'” he said of the moments leading up to the tornado.

His home and the church — The Church of The Living God — where he is a pastor were left unharmed, despite the pieces of debris that came hurdling in from businesses nearby.

His daughter, Gabriel Satchell, also participated in the cleanup to restore the place she grew up in.

“I’m so thankful that what I know is still intact and the rest of this the debris and all of this they can be cleaned up," she said. "But what’s most important is my family is safe.”

Other homes in the area saw more damage with flooding also in some parts.

Despite the stress of the damage Christopher Satchell said members of the community are showing their support for one another and helping those who need help.

“I thank god for shielding and protecting my family and I just have to use every opportunity to give the glory to God,” he said.

Several other homeowners said they planned to continue the clean up through the night.