Duke Homeowner Reacts To News 9 Storm Tracker Video Of Tornado Over His Home

Several homes and structures in Duke took a direct hit on Thursday from a tornado. One homeowner took shelter in his shower during the storm.

Luke Lucas watched for the first time on Friday a News 9 storm tracker’s video of the tornado hitting his home. 

“Whew! I’m lucky to be alive,” said Lucas.

Lucas credits his well-built rock home for keeping him safe.

“Windows started blowing out,” said Lucas. “I headed for my well-built shower that’s in the inner, has no walls, and curled up in there.”

Lucas said he waited and waited for the storm to pass.

“It sat on top of me for a long time,” said Lucas. “I was wondering why it was there so long, it ought to move on.”

The wind blew dirt and debris inside his home, rearranged the furniture, and left Lucas in a state of panic.

“I tell ya, until about 1 a.m. my heart was still,” said Lucas. “I couldn’t sleep, it was pounding.”

About three miles from Lucas’ home another home in Duke was left with nothing but the foundation. Jackson County officials assessed the damage the day after the storm. “We’ve been very fortunate this season to dodge most of the bad stuff,” said Rhett Johnson, Jackson County Commissioner District 3. “But it got pretty rough yesterday.”

Commissioner Johnson said there were no injuries or fatalities only structural damage in the county. “All in all,” said Johnson. “I think we’ve survived pretty well.”

As for Lucas, he says he is “Just glad to be here,” said Lucas. “Not a scratch on me at all, perfectly fine.”

Lucas said he does not have homeowner’s insurance, but he was expecting FEMA to come out and hopefully, he will receive some assistance that way.

Related Coverage: Severe Storms Leave Visible Damage In Jackson County