Macon mother says students were initially turned away from gas station while seeking shelter during tornado warning

The gas station owner, who identified himself as Lim, said the power was out at the time and he could not see who was outside the store.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A Macon mother says her son and other students were turned away from a gas station while trying to take shelter during severe weather Thursday morning.

Amethyst Jackson says her son was on a school bus headed to school when storms and tornado warnings moved through the area.

Jackson says the bus stopped at a Marathon Gas Station so students could get off and seek shelter.

She says the gas station is located at 6199 Thomaston Road in Macon.

She says her son called her while the situation was unfolding.

Jackson says she could hear the wind and the bus driver trying to get the attention of someone inside the store.

“With this being the gas station that we use as a community, and faces that he sees of the kids everyday, I would just expect for him to have some type of empathy when it comes to a state of emergency, for anyone that’s outside during an active tornado which was feets away from the store,” Jackson said.

Jackson says she felt helpless while listening to what was happening over the phone.

The gas station owner, who identified himself as Lim, said the power was out at the time and he could not see who was outside the store.

He says he locked the door because he was afraid of robbers and did not know who was trying to come inside in the dark.

Lim says he opened the door a few minutes later after recognizing an individual. Jackson confirmed Lim opened the doors after a few minutes once the storm began to slow down.

Lim declined to speak on camera.

The Bibb County School District released the following statement:

“The District has confirmed that the driver of Bus 2023 for Westside High School attempted to shelter at the Marathon gas station with students this morning. The store employee opened the door when another District employee, who was recognized by the store employee, pulled up and identified that a bus driver and students were trying to shelter. The students and driver sheltered in place until the warning was cleared.”