The eye of the storm

Staff

Photos sent by Jared Gunn’s family shows twisted metal and mangled homes.
One shows a home, untouched down to the items on a coffee table and the art work on a wall behind a couch, except for the missing front. It’s odd for what’s not there.
Gunn, who lives in Washington County, grew up in eastern Virginia. His parents now live in the Suffolk area. His ex-wife, Samantha Regal, lives there, too, along with his 5- and 2-year-old children.
Gunn’s been counting his blessings for a week now. He talked to Regal a week ago, the day the six tornadoes touched down, and though the reception was spotty at best, it let him know everyone was OK. 
He knows it could have been worse. His youngest was in a day care last Monday, just three houses away from the path of the storm. Three houses down the cul-de-sac the path of destruction leveled buildings, removing some entirely. Some of the $400,000 homes in the neighborhood, Gunn said, are gone, disappeared.
Gunn said his parents, ex-wife and children are staying in a hotel room until they are allowed back in their home.