A tornado spun up Wednesday as storms tracked across the state, and the twister hit Nash County and nearby areas, causing damage in its wake.

According to the NWS storm survey, 16 people were hurt. 

Related article: EF3 tornado hits eastern N.C., leaving 16 injured and damaging buildings

Images from the storm began pouring in, showing heavy farm equipment left upside down in fields, downed trees and other debris scattered in and around roadways.  

North Carolina resident Jeremy Bryant was driving his work truck down a Battleboro road with an employee in his passenger seat when the pair encountered and survived the tornado.

“It all happened so quick, there was really nothing I could do,” he told Spectrum News 1 in an interview, as he described how the he and his co-worker helplessly watched the flying debris. He said the men were simply stuck as the storm bore down.

“Debris was flying everywhere,” Bryant said.

He said his work vehicle was loaded down, making the truck heavier, and he credits that with the winds not tipping him over. He watched as debris flew through the air. He said his windshield did get cracked, but he and his co-worker, and the truck, were otherwise OK.

“I’m still in shock,” he said.

He shared photos of what he saw in a social media post with the following caption:

“Man the lord has spared us today!!!! We got caught right in the middle of a tornado in Battleboro! Literally 30 yards or less right beside us and nothing we could do but hope and pray! I tried to keep driving but the winds held my truck down! My truck took a few hits but I’m glad we are okay! Barn tore all to pieces, trees uprooted and blown cross the road, debris everywhere!”  

See the images he captured and more here: