The recent severe weather that spawned tornadoes and floods across the south has had a major impact on the furniture industry.  Fortunately, ImportAdvantage's factory and warehouse were not affected by the tornado.  However, according to Furniture Today, particularly affected is northeast Mississippi, an area popular for upholstery manufacturers. Several factories were completely destroyed during the storms. Employees were evacuated from the factories as baseball sized hail demolished roofs and tornado sirens warned of nearby danger. Reports from employees that were stuck inside the evacuated factories include broken or torn off roofs and blown out glass. Long-time furniture industry executive, Lynn Davis, was one of over 200 fatalities attributed to the storms that moved through the area. The American Red Cross has opened shelters in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Tennessee and Vermont. They have given mental health consultations, provided over-night stays to displaced residents and provided food and water to those in need in the affected areas. To donate, please visit www.redcross.org, call 1-800-REDCROSS or text “REDCROSS” to 90999 to make a $10 donation.