Sampson-Bladen Oil Company Damaged By Tornado by Mevin Henderson for The Sampson Weekly

One of the most renowned business icons in Sampson County is Sampson-Bladen Oil Company located on Hwy 421 across from the old West Point Pepperell Plant and next door to Herring Brothers Citgo gas station.  The building was also the headquarters for the Han-Dee Hugo convenient store chain.  The business sustained major damage from Saturday's tornado that swept through Sampson County.

According to Mr. Rogers Clark, whose father started the business in 1936, "The building was built in 1969 and has been added onto at least four times over the past forty plus years".  When asked if Sampson Bladen will rebuild at the present location his answer was, "We probably will, but we could relocate to another location depending on availability of appropriate site and building."

When asked about the estimated damage to the present location, Mr. Clark said, "At this time we do not have an estimate. We are waiting on the insurance adjuster."  Han-Dee Hugo's and Sampson-Bladen combined, employ over 730 employees who will feel some effects from the recent storm.   "Our employees are conducting business as usual but some are working from a remote office location. We have employees in four different offices in four different counties, with the majority still in Sampson County. We have our computers operational and are conducting business pretty much as usual."

What was your reaction when you saw the damage to the building? Mr. Clark responded, "Holy Mackerel!!! It was worse than I had hoped it would be. It has probably destroyed four buildings, a portable trailer, loading racks and several above ground tanks and numerous other items. The damage to our stores has been minimal".

Has the Community reached out to you and your employees? "We have had several churches and numerous individuals to either come by to help or call and inquire what help was needed. The business community has also been very concerned and has offered help and services that we badly needed and we are thankful for this."

Mr. Clark says the economic impact should be minimal from the effects of the tornado with the exception of the loss of the building and the cost of relocating the equipment into operation at another location.  "The cost should be minimal, but the inconvenience would be maximal. We would prefer that this had not happened, but are so thankful that we suffered no human injuries or deaths. Everything that has been damaged otherwise is replaceable. We praise God for this."

According to Assistant County Manager Susan Holder there have been thirteen Sampson County businesses damaged and 3 totally destroyed.  She stated, "We are currently working on a rough estimate of damage that we believe is between $7-$10 million, inclusive of residential, commercial and agricultural interests."

Look for more "Tornado Damage to Local Businesses" in next week's edition of The Sampson Weekly.