This bike had clearly been tossed around. A power transformer lies in the background.

Several tornadoes touched down across the state on Saturday. Countless roads on the east side of Raleigh are closed off, and crews from Raleigh Parks and Recreation, among several other departments and agencies, are working throughout the night to pick up the pieces left behind from the series of storms.

I was downtown when the supercell rolled over the city, and got this footage from underneath the new Contemporary Art Museum:

After the storm passed, I had no idea of the extent of the damage until a bit later.

Hargett Street east of Fayetteville St was dark

Landmark Tavern powered by candlelight and gas lamps

There were at least two bars that stayed open despite losing power: Landmark Tavern and Slim’s Downtown Distillery. I got a beer at Landmark to experience it. The slightly warm beer, lack of music, and candle light made it seem like the wild west.

Inside of Landmark, lit by candle

Slims Downtown Distillery, also powered by candle light

a homeless person sleeps on a bench near some damaged shelters in Moore Square

Overturned tent, and a dented acorn

Moore Square got a good beating. The acorn is dented and several of the oak trees have been splintered and damaged.

Overturned tree on Blount Street

Splintered tree in Moore Square

The Progress Energy Building has power, most others on the east side don't

Wilmington Street: dark

The Montague Building

Raleigh Parks and Recreation removing down trees after 2AM

Overturned truck off Yonkers Road

Several businesses along Yonkers Road had paneling pulled from them, and roadsigns are tossed about and backward. The entire area is covered in fiberglass insulation that was ripped from storefront exteriors.

Damaged storefront off of Yonkers Road

Damaged traffic lights and road signs of Raleigh Blvd

Another damaged traffic light

Crossing signal and a snapped tree

Bojangles is in the background, and it was not damaged. However, both Edenton and Tarboro had several massive trees blocking them.

There were fatalities and injuries in Raleigh, a few near the areas featured here. There are a lot of pieces to pick up, and many folks lost their livelihoods or their homes.

My hat goes off to everyone that is coming together to pick up after the storm, so early on a Sunday morning.