Tornado damage closes Salvation Army

High Point Enterprise (NC)

Mar. 20—The Salvation Army building in High Point has temporarily closed because of severe storm damage Thursday that the National Weather Service determined was caused by a small tornado.

The tornado had maximum winds of 85 mph, making it an EF0, the weakest category of tornado, the NWS said. It touched down about 5 p.m. southeast of Interstate 85 Business and S. Main, remained on the ground for about a mile as it moved parallel to the highway, and was about 100 yards wide at its widest point.

Other than taking down some trees and power lines, the tornado's only serious damage was to The Salvation Army building, 121 SW Cloverleaf Place, which had extensive damage to the roof as well as leaking inside the worship center chapel and kitchen. Also, a fence was destroyed amid fallen light poles and downed trees. A brand-new shed recently bought by The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club to house outdoor yard equipment was shifted off of its foundation, damaging the ramp and possibly building structure.

The Salvation Army Worship Center and The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club are temporarily closed because of the damage, Captain Lars Ljungholm, Commanding Officer of The Salvation Army of High Point, said in a press release Saturday.

"We are working with our insurance company and are confident that repair work will begin soon," he said. "The Remote Learning Center at The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club will be closed for the time being and we will not hold a church service this Sunday, March 21, to ensure the safety of our students and congregation. We will be open again for worship on Palm Sunday, March 28."

___