GENTRY (KFSM) - The tornado that struck the town of Gentry on Thursday (July 9) was given an EF-1 rating by the National Weather Service, officials say.
The National Weather Service started investigating damage on Thursday evening, and their rating was assign on Friday (July 10).
Storms with 70 miles per hour winds blew through the town, leaving significant damage. Several structures were damaged, and multiple trees were topped, according to the Benton County Office of Emergency Communications.
Some of the worst damage was at McKee Foods where the wind picked up a structure and toss it into the parking lot. The debris landed on several vehicles that were parked there.
The Vice President of McKee Foods released the following statement:
“We are first and foremost thankful for God’s presence and that His hand protected our employees from harm.”
The damage at the plant includes insignificant structures and some vehicles, according to a statement released by McKee Foods. Vehicle damage includes employee vehicles and six company-owned tractor rigs, the release states.
There was structural damage to the transportation employees’ entrance and to a shed in the company’s Transportation Department area, according to the release. The shed is a storage building used to store roller tracks used in offloading trailers, the release states. A water leak in the vicinity of electrical equipment required those to both be shut off out of caution, according to the release.
The company’s main Transportation and Manufacturing facilities were not affected, the release states.
Benton County dispatch also said there were trees and power lines down on Highway 94 near Monte Ne.