Hard-hit storm areas in 'recovery mode'

Hard-hit areas of South in 'recovery mode' after deadly tornadoes By the CNN Wire Staff STORY HIGHLIGHTSNEW: Weather service confirms at least 97 tornadoes in three-day outbreakNEW: Weekend outbreak is largest since 2008, records showStorms forecast for Tuesday could bring tornadoes, hail to MidwestRescuer in Bertie County: "It ripped the houses to shreds" (CNN) -- Two days after the largest tornado outbreak since 2008 raked the Southeast, killing at least 45, the focus shifted Monday to cleanup.

"Everybody's been coming together," said Dave Western, pastor of Kendale Acres Free Will Baptist Church in Sanford, North Carolina. Along with the adjacent parsonage, the church escaped largely unscathed from the massive tornado Saturday that reduced several surrounding homes to sticks.

"That's the wonderful thing about this. We had people we didn't even know coming by wanting to help," said Western, whose church has served as a meal center for many neighbors and a base for delivering food and water to other neighbors by golf cart.

At least 97 tornadoes struck between Thursday and Saturday, according to National Weather Service records. Yet more tornadoes will probably be confirmed on top of the 249 reports received during the three-day period, CNN meteorologist Sean Morris said.

Twisters hit 12 states: Oklahoma, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Missouri, Illinois, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia and Maryland. The reports are based on preliminary weather service reports that the agency warns are often revised downward after more complete information becomes available.

View the Original article