Chevy dealership in Mo. pummeled by 'direct hit' tornado

Riley Auto Group's Chevrolet dealership in Jefferson City, Mo., was heavily damaged when it "took a direct hit" from a tornado Wednesday, according to a dealership spokesperson.

"Our employees are safe," the spokesperson told Automotive News in a Facebook message. "We are in the beginning phases" of assessing the damage.

The dealership posted to Facebook on Thursday that "Riley Chevrolet and Riley Toyota will be closed to all public and employees until further notice. Our prayers are with Jefferson City and surrounding towns through this time."

Images from Riley Chevrolet showed damage to the dealership building and vehicles stacked on top of each other like Matchbox cars.

A spokeswoman for Riley Chevrolet said about 750 vehicles were on lot at the time of the storm and all of them were damaged. 

Kevin Riley, president of Riley Auto Group, released this statement later Thursday: 

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Jefferson City and surrounding areas who are dealing with the damage of last night’s tornadoes and severe storms. The damage that was caused to our dealerships and other areas of our community is simply devastating, but we are encouraged and inspired by the support we have received thus far. We want the first responders, police officers, volunteers, Lieutenant Governor Kehoe, and Governor Parson, who have acted selflessly and offered help, to know how much their efforts are truly appreciated.

"We are happy to report our employees are safe. In the last 83 years, we have never experienced devastation like this to our dealerships. Riley Chevrolet is a family owned and operated dealership that has stood tall since 1936. This storm may have physically torn us down, but Riley Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac, Riley Toyota, and Riley Collision Center stand tall and will rebuild, coming out stronger and closer than ever before.”

Severe weather that wreaked havoc in Missouri overnight left battered houses and businesses across the state, killing at least three people.

The National Weather Service said a "confirmed large and destructive tornado" was observed over Jefferson City just before midnight Wednesday, moving northeast at 40 mph, according to the Associated Press. AP reported three deaths more than 150 miles away near Golden City, Mo.

The violent weather left more than 18,000 customers without electricity in Missouri as of early Thursday afternoon, according to PowerOutage.US.

The National Weather Service said Thursday that the severe weather is expected to continue across the central U.S. through the end of the week. This includes the potential for severe thunderstorms from the Ohio Valley to the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast on Thursday, the weather service said.

The weather service added that enhanced rainfall along with severe weather are likely to travel from the Texas Panhandle to Wisconsin over the next couple of days.

The Missouri Automobile Dealers Association did not respond to requests for comment.