FOX23 Investigates: Barnsdall residents concerned after biggest employer, Nucera Solutions plant, was hit by tornado

BARNSDALL, Okla. — A week and a half after an EF4 tornado hit Barnsdall, the town is wondering what will come of its biggest employer, the Nucera Solutions plant. Tulsa’s Investigative Reporter Janna Clark has been looking into this for days.

Last week, FOX23 learned more about Nucera Solutions, a plant in Barnsdall where many people work, that was hit by Monday night's tornado and reported it is definitely not up and running .

FOX23 also reported Victor Porter, owner of Big Black BBQ, and a bunch of people from Restoration Church worked together to cook a ton of meals for the plant workers, and pretty much the whole town.

"My heart goes out to the folks, the town, everybody," Porter said.

Porter does contracted work out of the plant as a safety director.

He said the town needs the plant.

"The plant is the town," Porter said.

"It’s the heart of Barnsdall, so it greatly affects the town," he said.

Workers at the plant told FOX23 to speak with someone in the corporate office.

Later, FOX23 received an email from the corporate office with the following statement:

“We took preemptive measures to secure the Nucera Solutions plant in anticipation of the potential weather event. The plant will remain closed while we focus on supporting our employees and the local community with the disaster response. Our thoughts are with our colleagues and all members of the community who have been impacted by this tragic event.”

Since then, FOX23 sent follow-up questions.

FOX23 asked if they are planning to fix the damage and reopen the plant at some point, and also what the plan for employees is right now.

The corporate office emailed back the following statement:

"We are still assessing the situation and do not have any additional comments at this time."

Some people in town said they think the plant will reopen, and some said they do not.

FOX23 talked to 77-year-old John Henry Mashunkashey, who lost his home in the tornado.

"This is probably one of the worst disasters this little town ever has ever had," he said.

FOX23 asked Mashunkashey if he thinks a lot of people will have to move away.

"Yeah, I'm thinking a lot of people," he said.

"That plant was the only thing that kept this town going," Mashunkashey said.

FOX23 asked him if he thinks the plant is going to make it.

"It’s sure gonna be hard for them because this, this is kind of a satellite plant," Mashunkashey said.

The main plant is in Houston, Texas. The parent company is Chase Corporation.

"Everything's iffy," Mashunkashey said.

FOX23 spoke with Tim King, who works at the plant in Barnsdall.

King said he's "Barnsdall Strong" all the way.

"It’s the first one that hit us in 25 years, not gonna run me off," he said. "It’s Oklahoma. It doesn’t matter where you go, it’s gonna happen sometimes."

"This is home," King said.