High-Speed Winds in New York Wreaks Damage on Auto Repair Shop’s Exterior

High-speed winds in Lewiston, New York, caused an auto repair shop’s facility to suffer damage, reports Niagara Gazette.

Coppins Service Center has operated as a family business since 1937, and is located within a building dating back to 1909. The facility hadn’t experienced any severe weather damage; until Dec. 29.

With high-speed winds in the area, the brick facade over Coppins Service Center came falling down. Fortunately, no one was hurt, but it left debris scattered across the front of the business.

The shop closed for around four hours, with the street in front of the shop being temporarily closed off for a little over an hour. Lewiston Fire Company No. 1 arrived on the scene, in addition to Lewiston Police, the village DPW, and even members from the community coming to help clean up.

“It opened the attic up, but I had some good friends and a great community that came together and got it done quick,” said Jay Coppins, a fourth-generation owner who’s operated the shop since 2007.

Coppins will need to go over the damage with insurance, but predicts a repair will take at least a few months. He will also need to gain village approval for any repair plans.