ROCKDALE COUNTY, Ga. — A resident in Rockdale County is counting her blessings after narrowly escaping a devastating EF-2 tornado that tore through her neighborhood.
Celia Kearns, who described her harrowing experience as a "close call," recounted the terrifying moments when she ran to shelter in her bathroom as tree limbs began crashing around her home.
"We are blessed because we got out alive," Kerns said. "We are alive, and we are well."
But the relief was short-lived when she and several neighbors began being bombarded by people claiming to offer assistance with storm damage. Kearns described it as a flurry of activity outside her home, with many people approaching her and offering their services, supposedly on behalf of insurance companies.
"They started as soon as the sun came up," Kerns said. "I had them all coming down the road, handing out cards, telling me what they could do."
Her neighbor said the same thing, that she'd also been solicited by multiple people offering repair services.
"I'm gonna say a good 20 to 25. We just had one leave maybe half an hour ago," Kearns said.
In the wake of the tornado, residents like Kearns are not only dealing with the storm's aftermath but also facing the threat of potential scams. The Georgia Attorney General's Office warns against "storm chasers" who exploit vulnerable homeowners with offers that sound too good to be true.
To protect themselves, the Attorney General's Office advises residents to:
- Avoid contractors who demand full payment upfront.
- Be wary of door-to-door offers for home repair work.
- Exercise caution with contractors who offer to cover insurance deductibles.
RELATED: This is where EF-2 tornado damage occurred in Conyers | National Weather Service damage survey
Residents are also encouraged to verify contractors' credentials before engaging in their services. General contractors must be registered with the Georgia Secretary of State's Office, and residents can verify a business's license status online.
Kearns said she would not be tricked by scammers and would follow the advice.
"I'm going to deal with it anyway," she said, adding that she'd already contacted her insurance company.
Unfortunately, even with insurance help, the road to recovery will be long.
"It's going to take time," Kerns acknowledged.
For Kearns and others impacted by the tornado, vigilance and caution remain essential as they rebuild their lives and homes in the aftermath of the storm.
