GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — Gwinnett County Police said they will continue round-the-clock security inside the Buford subdivision that was ravaged by a tornado on Tuesday.
"We're trying to limit access to just the homeowners and contractors who have authorization from homeowners to be out there and clean up this mess," said Cpl. Edwin Ritter.
Families Work Towards Tornado Recovery
Ritter said they will also keep an eye out for looters, though there have been no reports of looting so far.
Channel 2's Manuel Bojorquez caught up with residents who are working to clean up and rebuild inside the Kirkstone subdivision, off Gravel Springs Road in Buford.
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"It's just been fantastic," John O'Connor said of the response to the disaster. "God has just blessed this whole entire situation."
The real estate agent who sold them the home that is now heavily damaged found them a rental property nearby.
"We don't want to be away from our neighbors, even if it looks like a tornado hit," said O'Connor's wife, Tami with a giggle. The couple has remained in high spirits, despite the damage to their home and their street.
One home nearby was destroyed.
"We can keep our children in the school system and keep everything as normal as possible," John O'Connor said.
Tuesday's afternoon tornado ripped through the area with winds up to 130 mph.
No injuries or deaths were reported.
More than 50 homes have damage and at least a dozen are uninhabitable. Early estimates from the state insurance commissioner put the damage at $5 million.