A powerful tornado tore through North Carolina, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. The twister, classified as an EF-3 storm with winds of up to 150 mph, began near Nashville, North Carolina, around 12:35 pm, and continued its path northeast, wreaking havoc on the town of Rocky Mount, 60 miles east of Raleigh, where it caused significant damage to a vital Pfizer facility.
The Pfizer factory, sprawling across 250 acres with 1.4 million square feet of manufacturing space, was responsible for producing nearly 25 percent of all sterile injectables used in U.S. hospitals. The storm left the 400 million units per year production site in ruins, with 50,000 pallets of medicines scattered across the site, exposed to the elements.
The tornado’s impact extended beyond the Pfizer facility, as homes lost their roofs, power lines were downed, and 89 buildings suffered damage across two counties. Nash County Sheriff Keith Stone reported 16 injuries, two of which were life-threatening, underscoring the severity of the storm’s impact on the region. However, fortunately, there were no reported fatalities.
A Pfizer employee described the harrowing experience as the storm approached, with employees promptly seeking refuge in the safety zone. The facility’s lights flickered before an explosive sound, lasting only around a minute or 90 seconds, echoed through the building. The damage assessment is ongoing as authorities grapple with the extent of the disaster.
Local residents captured the terrifying scene on social media, posting videos of the twister violently churning and throwing debris in its path. The swift and intense nature of the storm caught many off guard, with Dortches Mayor Jackie Vick expressing her disbelief as the skies went from sunny to pitch-black within moments.
The tornado also caused road closures along I-95 in North Carolina, as fallen trees and debris hindered travel in the area. Emergency response teams and volunteers from various agencies worked tirelessly to assess the damage and provide aid to those affected.
While the immediate focus remains on recovery efforts, concerns arise regarding the impact on medicine production at the Pfizer facility. The company stated they are diligently assessing the situation, with their thoughts directed towards their colleagues, patients, and the community they serve.
