Volunteers Help Clean Up After Tornado Destroys American Legion Building

Dozens of community members gather to assist with debris removal in Jacksonville, North Carolina.

Mar. 14, 2026 at 6:10pm

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Dozens of volunteers gathered at the American Legion building in Jacksonville, North Carolina on Saturday morning to help clean up the aftermath of a tornado that destroyed the veteran organization's property earlier this week. The National Weather Service confirmed the tornado was an EF-0 with wind speeds reaching 85 mph.

Why it matters

The American Legion building serves as an important community hub for veterans and their families in Jacksonville. The tornado's destruction has disrupted the organization's operations, and the cleanup effort demonstrates the community's commitment to supporting its local institutions.

The details

The tornado touched down for less than a minute on Thursday, covering over 60 feet of ground. In addition to the damage at the American Legion building, the National Weather Service confirmed four other EF-1 tornadoes hit eastern North Carolina that same day. Jacksonville Fire officials reported no one was inside the building when the storm struck.

  • The tornado hit Jacksonville at 2:15 p.m. on Thursday, March 12, 2026.
  • Volunteers gathered on Saturday, March 14, 2026 to assist with the cleanup effort.

The players

Steve Shortt

The commander of the American Legion building in Jacksonville.

National Weather Service (NWS)

The government agency that confirmed the tornado was an EF-0 with 85 mph winds.

Jacksonville Fire

The local fire department that reported no one was inside the American Legion building when the tornado struck.

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What they’re saying

“We plan to rebuild the property.”

— Steve Shortt, American Legion Commander

What’s next

The American Legion building's commander, Steve Shortt, stated that they plan to rebuild the property following the tornado damage.

The takeaway

This cleanup effort demonstrates the resilience and community spirit of Jacksonville residents, who have come together to support a local institution impacted by the severe weather. The rebuilding process will be an important next step in restoring the American Legion's role as a hub for veterans and their families.