By Sonja Pagniano | Executive Director
On March 14, 2025, a tornado tore through Cave City, Arkansas, and destroyed Walling Drug's building entirely. Photos from the aftermath show little more than splintered lumber and scattered insulation where the pharmacy once stood.
For owner Jennifer Walling and her team of seven, closing wasn't an option. Their rural community depends on the pharmacy for medications, immunizations, home delivery, and long-term care. Within days they were open in a temporary location down the street — same phone number, same team. The tornado cost them exactly one business day.
Walling Drug served Cave City from that temporary storefront for nearly a year while Jennifer secured a permanent home. An NCPA Foundation Disaster Relief Grant helped cover the costs of the transition, from equipment setup to the staff overtime needed for the move.
True to form, Jennifer planned that final move so patients would never feel it: close Saturday afternoon, reopen Monday morning. A tornado leveled their building — and their community never lost its pharmacy for more than two days. “We only missed one business day when the tornado hit last March (2025), and I believe we can make this move happen with no days closed!” “We only missed one business day when the tornado hit last March (2025), and I believe we can make this move happen with no days closed!
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