When Disaster Strikes: A Quick Response to Tornado Damaged Retail Locations

On May 6, 2024, a violent EF4 tornado hit Bartlesville, Oklahoma around 9:45 pm. At 10:00 am the next morning, a representative from Lowe’s Home Improvement Store reached out to us at SGA Design Group and requested that we perform an assessment of the damage at their impacted location. One of our firm Principals was already in the area, and able to meet with consultants from Wallace Design Collective on site later that same day.

A facility risk management assessment on the roof and building systems was conducted. Their findings determined that the damage impacted only the gutter and roof, and the building needed minor repairs. After we conveyed the information to the client, they were able to manage these superficial repairs.

When retail locations reopen quickly after a disaster, especially stores where needed supplies can be purchased by the community, they help a town heal from tragic events at a faster pace. We are always mindful of first responders and those processing recent events when we visit storm impacted locations and hope to support them through our rapid response.

At SGA, we appreciate that our clients trust us to perform emergency and specialized project requests whenever the need arises. Our clients appreciate our professionalism and fast response time in critical situations like these. If you’d like to build a relationship with a top retail design firm, please reach out via the contact form on our website to get the conversation started.