NASH COUNTY, N.C. — The roof was torn off the Pfizer building and 50,000 pallets of medicine were damaged by a tornado that touched down east of Raleigh Wednesday afternoon, officials said.
Trailers were overturned at the Pfizer facility in Rocky Mount and parts of the building were splintered by the storm. WRAL-TV’s helicopter flew over the property and saw significant damage to the area. WRAL also learned that 50,000 pallets of medicine were destroyed by the tornado.
The tornado caused widespread damage in Nash County, where tree and crops were destroyed along the tornado’s path. Meteorologists said the tornado may have traveled 20 miles with a 2.5-mile wall of debris reported near Interstate 95.
Sheriff Keith Stone said at least two people in Nash County were injured but said the number could be higher.
I-95 was shut down in both directions after the storm took down trees and left a path of destruction between exits 138 and 141. The North Carolina Department of Transportation tweeted photos of the damage along the highway.
Jackie Vick, the mayor of Dortches, said he was grateful no one was killed during the tornado. Vick told WRAL that at least five homes were destroyed.
“It went from sunshine to pitch black,” Vick said. “We’re just thankful there were no lost lives.”
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