Mardel Christian & Education stores have been affected by a massive tornado Monday that hit Moore, Okla., forcing temporary closures and bringing injury to one staff member.

Rescuers dug through the debris of destroyed homes, schools and businesses today searching for survivors after the devastating tornado blasted through the Tornado Alley town, killing at least 24 and injuring more than 200, USA Today reported. Efforts were hindered by unsettled weather and roads clogged by debris and thousands of residents trying to return home to check their damage.

Moore is located near Oklahoma City, corporate headquarters of Mardel, which has three stores in the area. Jerry Pennybaker is the manager of the Mardel location in Norman, Okla., just seven miles south of where the twister touched down. He lives with his family in Moore.

"My house is only 300 yards away from where the tornado hit, but it missed our house," Pennybaker, who was at the store during the twister, told Christian Retailing.

He went to his neighborhood 45 minutes after the storm.

"It was a war zone for sure," said Pennybaker, who has worked for Mardel for more than 12 years. "We went through our house to clean up mud and debris. We found important documents from other people, a teddy bear and about 20 stray dogs as we were picking up. It's kind of surreal. We didn't dare care to travel 300 yards to look at the wreckage."

He noted that his store's 19 staff were safe, although most of Moore had no electricity or water.

"The store was not impacted other than lost business," said Pennybaker, who was staying with his family at his parents' house in Norman. "We did one-third of the business on Monday. Norman was a quiet town yesterday. It was a solemn day. I don't expect business to be good today; it's 60%-70% down."

Malorie Little is assistant manager of the Mardel store in Oklahoma City, about eight miles north of the tornado's site.

"We have 23 employees working at this location," said Little, who lives with her family near Moore. "I have gotten word from not all, but most of our staff. We have only one employee injured because he inhaled natural gas. One of our staff had a missing granddaughter who has been located. Continued prayer for all in Oklahoma is greatly appreciated."

Little's store closed temporarily during the twister.

"We were slow before and after the tornado," she said. "It's because of the tornado. It took me twice as long to get to work today. There's more customers than employees right now in the store. I should have three more employees, but there's only four right now."

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