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MARIETTA – The Dollar Tree distribution center near Marietta along the west side of Interstate 35 was damaged so badly by an EF-4 tornado that the company doesn’t plan to reopen the one-million square-foot facility anytime soon – if ever.
“Given the facility cannot be reopened in the foreseeable future, we met with our DC (distribution center) team recently to share the incredibly difficult news that the warehouse will close at this time,” a company spokesperson said in a statement to KOSU Radio and to KFOR-TV news.
The 456 employees at the Marietta facility “will receive pay continuation through June 22, in addition to support including severance packages, benefits and access to our Emotional Wellbeing Solutions resources,” the company said in its statement.
“While we hope to have a Distribution Center to welcome associates back to in the future, we are still assessing our go-forward options,” the company related in its statement.
“As proud members of the Marietta community for more than 20 years, this region remains extremely important to the Dollar Tree family and to our broader supply chain network.”
None of the associates who were employed at the Marietta distribution center was injured at the facility during April 27 tornado, the company announced from corporate headquarters at Chesapeake, Virginia.
The tornado ripped open the roof of the center and gutted the massive structure. Passing motorists can see how the building remains filled with damaged and destroyed goods.
Marietta remains in a state of recovery from the tornado. With 170 miles-per-hour winds, the twister also destroyed a grocery store and badly damaged the Mercy Health Love County hospital.
The lone fatality was a passenger in a tractor- trailer rig that was blown over.
A Disaster Recovery Center operated May 17-31 in Love County to help Oklahomans affected by the April 25-May 9 severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding continue their recovery.
Residents and businesses in Carter, Hughes, Love, Murray, Okmulgee, Osage, Pontotoc and Washita counties were able to visit the center to apply for Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance, upload documents, learn about available resources and get their questions answered in person.
Recovery specialists from FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration and other organizations were available to meet with visitors – no appointment was needed. The center was operated from Marietta City Hall.
To apply for FEMA assistance without visiting a center, go online to DisasterAssistance. gov, download the FEMA app, or call the FEMA Helpline at (800) 621-3362. Calls are accepted from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Central Standard Time.