LINCOLN, Neb. (June 17, 2004) — A newly remodeled warehouse section of a T.O. Haas Tire store in Lincoln was destroyed by a storm with all the earmarks of a tornado, the company said.
The storm on June 12 tore the roof off the building and landed 150 yards away. The east wall of the 14,000-sq.-ft. warehouse then fell, without the support of the girders. The company estimates the damage at nearly $500,000.
The damage happened one month after T.O Haas Tire completed an 18-month renovation, which included adding four service bays and an improved showroom.
“Fortunately there were no injuries,” said George Hoellen, president of the dealership. “Thanks to the significant efforts of a number of employees, contractors, friends, Lincoln police and fire, city building and safety department, and our insurance company, we were open for business Monday morning.”
Lincoln-based T.O. Haas operates 29 stores in Nebraska, Kansas and Iowa.