News : Pizza Hut reopens in Vinton

The gas meter was blown into this wall, breaking both the large pipes and part of the brick.

The winds of July 11 even moved the large rock that welcomed customers.

Pizza Hut opened in Vinton, more than two months after the July 11 storm that destroyed the roof.

For the first time since July 10, the employees of the Vinton Pizza Hut are answering the phone, asking if this order will be dine-in or carry out.

The restaurant opened shortly after 11 p.m. today, after two months of repair work, and a very busy week of preparation before the final inspection by the Black Hawk County Health Department (which oversees Benton County restaurants) this morning.

The winds of July 11 blew so hard that the large rock that welcomes customers to Pizza Hut actually was pushed out of its spot. The rock, and the empty spot where it used to be, are the last remaining evidence of the significant damage the building sustained.

Construction crews finished replacing the roof, painting the exterior, and fixing the interior on Monday. Since then, manager Ryan Tresnak and his crew have been working tirelessly to prepare to re-open. The roof was replaced with the iconic red steel, and the entire exterior was repainted.

Winds blew the gas meter and its pipes into the brick of the entry. The replacement brick is clearly visible on the west side of the entrance.

"You can imagine how strong the wind must have been to do that," said Tresnak.