Gordyville USA in Champaign Co. weathers the storm
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GIFFORD, Ill. (WCIA) — Gordyville USA didn’t escape the damage from Friday night’s storm. 700 people and 300 horses were around the area when the storm hit.

Lisa Graham is the general manager of the arena. She said the storm hit around 1 a.m. Her staff tried tying down loose equipment beforehand, however, some still struck the building. Multiple trailers –including mobile homes– got turned over by the high winds. So, Saturday morning, people brought out cranes to flip them back over.

“The community support was amazing. My phone rang. We were outside all evening. Our local fire department was here with the EMS. They were here within minutes of the call. It was just amazing to have the turnout,” Graham said. “And by six o’clock my phone was ringing, and as soon as daylight hit, we had people here helping us to clean up and move trailers and just people from the community come in to help us.”

Graham is also thanking her employees for their help. Some of them were on site for over 30 hours between preparation and cleanup. She also said a National Weather Service employee came out Saturday morning — and determined the damage came from straight line winds.

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