Tom Shapiro
Enthusiast
Just got off the phone with John Gastman. Yesterday's tornado in Roanoke came within a 1/4 mile of the dealership. They watched as it approached then took cover in the middle of the building. He didn't think any of the outside vehicles were damaged, but hasn't had time to check them out. He said everything near the dealership in the tornado's path was destroyed. The only thing left was mud. John estimated the tornado was 1/2 mile wide. He said he never wants to see another one that close again! Residents were told they probably won't have power for the next 2-4 days. Roanoke Motors is running their phones off a generator. It completely destroyed a manufacturing firm about 4 miles from Roanoke and insulation from that building is littered all over Roanoke's proprerty. I was watching the movement of the supercell on intellicast.com and called the dealership because of the direct path of the storm. John's wife Barb answered and said she couldn't talk because they were watching a tornado approach the dealership. I called back numerous times but all phones had been knocked out. Thank God no one in the tornado's path was killed or injured.
