Rebuilding from Lancaster tornado moving swiftly

After a tornado with 125 mile-per-hour winds touched down in Lancaster County’s rural community of White Horse Wednesday night, first responders say residents have come together in order to repair at least $8 million worth of property damage.

Sam Stoltzfus, the president of White Horse Fire Company, hasn’t heard any reports of injury, but he said between 40 and 50 buildings, including several barns were damaged. An Amish schoolhouse was flattened.

Stoltzfus said the large Amish community in White Horse has already begun repairs with the help of the other residents in the area.

Based on the way current reconstruction is going, he thinks children could return to the damaged school within the next week.

“I know the one that was brought down, they were actually concreting the floor last evening,” Stoltzfus said. “And I didn’t get out there today yet, but it wouldn’t surprise me if they had the roof back on it today.”

As many as 400 local volunteers came out Friday to help with repair efforts, Stoltzfus said, bringing the total number of people who have lent a hand in the past two days to an estimated 1,000.

“We have a wonderful community,” Stoltzfus said. “It’s overwhelming, the amount of support.”