By Associated Press - Thursday, May 25, 2017

AUTRYVILLE, N.C. (AP) - A day after a tornado ripped through a small North Carolina town, its fire chief says the department is “semi-operational.”

The Fayetteville Observer reports (https://bit.ly/2rjWB5k ) that a quick-developing tornado with top winds estimated at 110 mph (177 kph) targeted Autryville on Tuesday, and the damage included its fire station being destroyed.

Station chief Andrew Hawkins says the 30-person department has one remaining undamaged truck and will operate from the Town Hall while it seeks a more permanent place to work.



Gov. Roy Cooper called Mayor Larry Autry on Wednesday to discuss the damage, for which estimates are not yet available. Autry says the town is receiving help from the state’s Emergency Management Office. No serious injuries have been reported.

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Information from: The Fayetteville Observer, https://www.fayobserver.com

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