“We’ll Fly Away or the House Comes Down”: Kent County Storm Terror
Powerful Storms Hit Western Kent County: Communities Begin Cleanup
What Happened?
On Thursday night, powerful storms swept through western Kent County, Delaware. The storms brought strong winds and heavy rain that caused major damage in the towns of Hartly and Marydel.
Where: Hartly and Marydel, Delaware (western Kent County)
When: Thursday night
Alert: Tornado warning was issued
The Damage: What Got Broken?
The storms were very strong. Here’s what happened:
- Trees blown down — huge trees fell on houses, roads, and yards
- Roofs ripped off — several homes lost parts or all of their roofs
- Mobile homes hit hard — one family’s mobile home on Halltown Road lost a big piece of its roof
- Water damage — rain poured into homes through damaged roofs and walls
Photo: Parts of a mobile home roof landed in the front yard on Halltown Road in Hartly.
Real Stories: People Who Lived Through It
Shantelle Quinones and Her Family (Hartly)
Shantelle was sitting on her sofa when a tornado warning went off on her phone. The alert said: "Go to a basement immediately."
Problem: Her mobile home doesn’t have a basement.
What She Did — Step by Step
- Grabbed her daughter and two dogs → ran to a bedroom closet (the safest spot she had)
- Huddled together → listened to terrifying wind and rain for several minutes
- Heard a loud SLAM → the whole house shook violently
- Thought they might not survive → tried to call family to say goodbye
- Waited in terror → held her daughter and cried while her fiancé checked the damage
- Discovered the roof was gone → part of it lay in their front yard
- Water everywhere → dripping through walls, pooling on floors in hallway and kitchen
- Rescued by firefighters → Hartly Volunteer Fire Company knocked on their door and told them to evacuate
"For a moment, I got really scared and I thought we were not going to make it… I just remember grabbing my daughter because she’s all I have."
— Shantelle Quinones"It was devastating… but it could have been so much worse. We could have lost our lives. I’m so glad that we are alive."
— Shantelle Quinones
James Rigby (Marydel)
James has lived in Marydel his entire life. He said:
- Multiple huge trees fell on his property
- Never seen anything like this in all his years there
- Happened in "the blink of an eye"
- Six neighbors worked together just to remove one fallen tree (and there were many more)
"You can’t replace a person. We can fix all this… but I can’t replace no one’s life. So I’m just happy for that."
— James Rigby
Official Report: What Authorities Say
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Official | John Tinger, Kent County Chief of Public Safety |
| Areas Damaged | 4 locations: Grygo Road, Halltown Road, and two spots near Parker’s Chapel |
| Injuries | Zero reported |
| Follow-up | Kent County Public Safety + National Weather Service visited Friday to assess damage |
Important Safety Lessons (Callout Box)
KEY TAKEAWAYS FOR STAYING SAFE
- Mobile homes are NOT safe in tornadoes — even with a warning, there’s no basement to hide in
- Best shelter in a mobile home: Interior closet or bathroom, away from windows, on the lowest floor
- Have a plan BEFORE the storm — know where you’ll go if a warning sounds
- Listen to emergency alerts — they give you precious minutes to act
- Don’t go outside until officials say it’s safe — downed power lines and debris are deadly
- Neighbors helping neighbors saves lives — community response made a huge difference here
Cleanup Has Begun
- Community effort: Neighbors working together to clear trees and debris
- Official assessment: Experts evaluating damage to determine if federal help is needed
- Families displaced: Some, like the Quinones family, deciding if it’s safe to stay or if they need temporary housing
- Long road ahead: Repairs will take weeks or months
Summary
Thursday night’s storms tore through Hartly and Marydel, ripping off roofs, toppling massive trees, and terrifying residents. Miraculously, no one was hurt. Families like the Quinoneses survived by sheltering in a closet when their mobile home’s roof was torn away. Longtime resident James Rigby called it the worst storm he’s ever seen — but emphasized that lives matter more than property. Emergency crews responded quickly, and the community is already banding together to clean up. Officials are assessing the damage to see what help is available.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Was this a tornado?
The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning, and the damage (roofs torn off, trees snapped) is consistent with a tornado or very strong straight-line winds. Officials were on-site Friday to make the final determination.
Why are mobile homes so dangerous in storms?
Mobile homes are not anchored to a foundation like regular houses. High winds can lift them, flip them, or tear them apart. They also lack basements — the safest place during a tornado.
What should I do if I live in a mobile home and a tornado warning sounds?
- Leave immediately if you have time and a sturdy building nearby (community shelter, friend’s house)
- If no time to leave: Go to an interior room (closet, bathroom) on the lowest floor, away from windows
- Cover your head with a helmet, mattress, or heavy blankets
- Have a "go bag" ready with essentials (meds, IDs, phone charger, water)
Were there any injuries or deaths?
No injuries were reported — which officials and residents call a miracle given the damage.
How can I help the affected families?
- Check with Kent County Emergency Management for official donation/volunteer coordination
- Donate to reputable local charities (Red Cross, local food banks, fire companies)
- Offer hands-on help to neighbors if you’re nearby and it’s safe
Article based on reporting from WBOC. All quotes and details preserved from original coverage.