A Missouri travel center has responded to several accusations that they locked their doors to truckers who were trying to shelter from dangerous weather.
On Tuesday, March 3, several social media users reported that drivers had been locked out of the LeerJak Travel Center located on US 60 in Ellsinore, Missouri during a severe storm.
In the wake of these accusations, LeerJak Travel Center responded and said that it is company policy to lock doors during a tornado for employee and customer safety.
In regards to an incident that happened last night…
The protocol isn’t to lock truckers or any customers out in any way or form, the protocol is when a tornado is in the area or has touched down, that for the safety of our employees and customers at the time, they are to lock the doors and seek immediate shelter. This particular location has been hit by a tornado many times, so we take this situation very, very seriously. This area also has a FEMA building for these types of incidents. Our company policy is to invite everyone there at the time into the store, then we lock the doors to ensure safety of everyone inside. Like I stated before in no way, shape or form was it intended for anyone to intentionally be locked out, it’s just the nature of the incident when all others are seeking shelter for their safety, we help all we can, but because of the safety of others, we can’t help all. We appreciate any and all of our customers and do our best to insure their safety which is why this protocol is in place as it is the same in most big companies including travel centers like QuikTrip. We can not, for the safety of our employees have them not seek shelter to wait, incase someone else might stop by. We understand you are upset, and we apologize for the way this incident played out, but we hope you can understand that the employees and customers at the time, are to take immediate shelter for their safety. We appreciate all and everyone of our customers!