Little Rock business reflects on March 31 tornado, caught devastation on camera
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Nearly a year after the March 31 tornado, one Little Rock business reflects on the day that changed their lives forever.
Billy Etter, director of the Bennett-Davis Group, was outside hoping to repair a shed behind the business when the tornado hit. A year later, he reflected on that day.
“Just a flood of emotions coming back, because it’s been a year,” Etter said.
North Little Rock business sits in pieces months after tornado
Michael Bennett, owner of the Bennett-Davis Group, said it’s a day they’ll never forget.
“When I walk in, the immediate thought is lots of memories,” Bennett said.
They were there as the tornado came straight for them. The two of them ran behind a concrete wall with everything happening in the blink of an eye.
“I didn’t even have time to be scared,” Etter said.
Bennet recorded it all as the wind pushed a car and more by an open garage door at the business.
“Just holding the phone to take the video, and seeing an EF-3 tornado,” Bennett said.
Popular Little Rock rug store on its way to recovery following tornado
The way their business had always looked was forever changed in 20 seconds.
“It really was shocking to see the difference between where we were and what happened,” Bennett said.
The area once filled with hundreds of trees, now only has a few. The roof fell in, and now is a twisted mess of metal.
“The paint, the wallboard, this was a beautiful ballroom at one point,” Bennett described.
Now the building still looks about the same as it did on Mar. 31.
“It was just total devastation,” Etter said.
The company has been working in a temporary location but is finally about to be in a place of its own again.
“All of our equipment, our building was lost, our clientele stayed, so we see it as a clean start to another 30 years,” Bennett said.
Kroger on Rodney Parham reopens months after being destroyed in devastating March tornado
Bennett and Etter both said throughout the experience and last year, they’ve learned lessons as they’ve started over, but through it all are finding light in the darkness.
“It’s been a blessing, even through the storm, there is always a brighter day on the other side,” Etter said.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLRT - FOX16.com.
