A tornado that hit Johnston County Tuesday left behind about $1.65 million in damage, according to Johnston County officials. The tornado destroyed one home and damaged 18 others. Most of the damage was along Highway 96 North.

Johnny Peedin saw the tornado coming from his home in Selma.

"It was probably about the size of a truck, and then became the size of a house, and when it jumped into the woods, it was massive," Peedin said.

It knocked down a 200-year-old tree in front of his house and continued along Highway 96 North.

Ricky Davis and his family, who live nearby, also saw it coming. They hid in a closet as the tornado tore off the roof of the house.

"All you can do is be thankful to be alive. All this can be replaced," Davis said.

Wednesday, people assessed the damage. Crews fixed power lines and cleared roads. The American Red Cross went door to door offering help. And neighbors pitched in to help.

For some, it's just a matter of picking up the tree limbs.

For others, getting back to normal will take much longer.

"It's gonna be months. It's gonna be a long time," said Ricky Davis, who is staying at a friend's house while he repairs his own.