Schools across the area participated in a statewide tornado drill Wednesday morning. It was scheduled even before Saturday’s storm hit.

Eyewitness News went through the drill at Reedy Creek Elementary School, where students and teachers are still living with the storm’s aftermath.

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Any other day, the tornado drill would be just that. But after a tornado ripped through east Mecklenburg and parts of Cabarrus County, the drill struck a chord that is very real.

“Their life has been turned upside down,” said Krista Moore, a teacher at Reedy Creek.

After Saturday's devastating tornado, teachers had to remind the students that the drill was just practice.

“(We) reassure them it’s not going to happen tonight, tomorrow -- (tell them,) ‘You’re safe and we will take care of you,’” said Mary Webb, the principal at Reedy Creek.

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Moore lives in a neighborhood hit by the storm. Her home was damaged by the wind.

“My house is livable. If you go out my back yard, in 100 yards is a flattened home,” Moore said.

But she, like other teachers at Reedy Creek, is giving her time to help families rebuild.

“To know your children are in a safe place, being taken care of -- if you can’t do homework with your child tonight, we'll have someone who can,” Webb said.

Webb said the school is offering child care and meals through next week. Tuesday night, 25 to 30 people took advantage of that. She has been in constant contact with families to find out what they need.

Webb and Moore said they hope the drill is a reminder to be prepared and that the community can get through this together.

“This is like my second family. I feel very connected to this school,” Moore said.

Webb said the school is committed to helping the tornado victims as long as they need.

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