Oklahoma business owners sift through rubble after tornadoes

SULPHUR, Okla. (KFOR) — Residents in Sulphur, Oklahoma, are searching for peace after deadly tornadoes struck the area Saturday.

The city was hit hard by tornadoes that wrecked homes, trees and several businesses.

“It’s just kind of surreal,” said Gary Mensch, whose business was destroyed.

Mensch and his family have owned JJ’s Furniture for decades. The tornadoes ripping through his city destroyed the business they have always known.

“25 years of hard work is being destroyed and there’s nothing I can do about it,” he said.

The tornado did not hit Mensch’s home, but the roof to his furniture store was completely torn off. Debris and bricks are now scattered across the ground barely leaving anything to salvage.

“The water in there is three inches deep and all of this is wood furniture. So once it gets on there, it’s done,” said Mensch.

The tornado injured at least 30 people in Sulphur alone. Officials said one woman was killed and had to be pulled from the debris of a bar downtown.

Mensch said he has never seen anything like this, but knows his community is strong and they are now focused on rebuilding and moving forward.

“No matter how many things you have going, no matter how successful you are, it can end just like that,” said Mensch. “In every situation there’s positivity.”