Keaton & Lloyd Bookshop, Rome, N.Y., which was hit last week by an EF2 tornado, has launched a $5,000 GoFundMe campaign, noting on Facebook: "We've spent the last five days trying to determine the next steps. On Monday, a disaster remediation crew will visit us to start the interior cleanup. At this time, we're asking for financial contributions to assist with deductibles and replacing that which is not covered. Help restore Carl's home!"
"We were in the shop when it happened. We were not hurt," owner Julie Whittemore told the Daily Sentinel, adding that all they were aware of was the wind and rain. "I honestly don't really remember. We just ran toward the back of the shop.... It took a few seconds to wear off, and then we hunted for the cat," said Whittemore, adding that Carl was found "hiding in the ceiling, which is his favorite place."
The 200 block of West Dominick St. sustained extensive damage. The front windows of the bookstore were blown out and rain and debris poured into the front section of the shop. The Daily Sentinel noted that that "most of the bookstore's windows shattered, including upstairs, and doors have been knocked out of place. The roof is heavily damaged and the HVAC systems are destroyed.... The books and merchandise in the first quarter of the store have been heavily damaged, though Keaton & Lloyd is a deep building and the merchandise in the back is in much better shape."
"It's hard to say when we will be open again," said Whittemore. "We had tons of people show up to help board things up.... It's nothing that can't be fixed with time." She has already applied for the small business help set up by Mayor Jeffrey M. Lanigan.