Sep 8, 2008 9:00 pm US/Eastern
Allentown Cleans Up After Tornado
ALLENTOWN (CBS 3) ―
Allentown is cleaning up after a destructive tornado touched down in the Lehigh Valley Saturday.
The Alotta family surveyed the damage to their home Monday afternoon and they are still in disbelief.
"The next thing you know water was just coming in everywhere, just coming in everywhere," said Tina Alotta.
"There's my roof laying in between two houses," said Jim Alotta.
The Alotta's roof was ripped off by 95 mph winds and the storm damaged 50 other homes.
The National Weather Service says the tornado only lasted about 60 seconds, but it made a lasting impression.
"When you see and hear all this stuff, it's just overwhelming," said Tina.
Damage from the storm is estimated at $1.5 million and Dieruff High School sustained the most extensive damage.
Crews were scrambling on Monday to make repairs so it could re-open for the 2,000 students who now have the day off.
"We have ceilings down and we're going through the drying out process and the roof is being patched up," said Bob Sperling of the Allentown School District.
Ironically, the tornado hit an area of the school already scheduled for renovation.
Classes at the high school are expected to resume on Wednesday.
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