Tornado destroys Round Lake Park 'Pizza Place'

ROUND LAKE PARK – The Pizza Place, 130 W. Main St., Round Lake Park, was left severely damaged by what owner Jean McCue said she knew was a "definite tornado" Sunday evening.

When a tornado warning was issued for the area about 8:45 p.m., the restaurant was still open for business. McCue stepped outside to collect umbrellas from her picnic tables when she saw one table "fly through the air and onto the train tracks," she said, at which point she entered her car.

McCue said the car shook but was not damaged. However, when she looked back at The Pizza Place, "it was gone," she said.

"It all happened very fast – in seconds," McCue said. "There was just wind. The rain came later. It had been a calm day all around up until then."

Six people were inside the business at the time – two employees and four customers.

"Luckily, no one was hurt," McCue said. "We can always rebuild. Everyone has been really supportive by dropping in and asking what they can do to help."

The Pizza Place has been open since 1975. McCue has owned the restaurant for 17 years, although she began working there as an employee 34 years ago.

National Weather Service crews confirmed Monday a tornado with EF-1 intensity had hit the area the night before.