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After the storm passed and the sun shined again, many businesses in Troup County were left picking up the pieces and starting on the road of recovery.

Among those in recovery is Vaughan Xpress.

Sonyia Kitchens, general manager of the trucking and logistics company, said the business had severe damage to its warehouses, trucks and approximately 20 trailers.

“Looking at all the damage felt devastating in one way and then in another way very blessed,” Kitchens said. “We are very thankful that none of our employees were injured.”

After assessing the damage, Kitchens said the company plans to move forward and not look back.

“We are going to reconstruct,” Kitchens said. “Some repairs have already been completed — at least on a temporary fix. The warehouse that sustained severe damage will be built back. We’re just not sure if we’re going to lose the whole building or not but even if we do, it will be built back.”

Kitchen said the business continued to operate, even the day after the tornado struck.

Bruce Clack, director of sales, said the warehouses were their biggest concern as they are concerned about taking care of their customers, many of whom are manufacturers.

“Their distribution is out of our warehouses. We store a lot of materials for them,” Clack said.

Kitchens said as they move forward, they are working to protect their employees from being out of work due to the damage to the company.

“We are continuing to work and have a full staff on a daily basis to ensure their jobs are not affected. We have been able to do that,” Kitchens said. “This is a family and when they work here they become part of our family. We try to take care of them together.”