Kansas University Campus damages of $20 million

Topeka, KS - northeast kansas was hit by several tornadoes from Wednesday night until Thursday, causing extensive damage in the area. So far two casualties were reported, a woman whose body was found in her yard in Chapman and a man whose corpse was discovered near his mobile home in Soldier.

The twister, half a mile in width, wrecked the central part of Soldier and destroyed businesses and at least 60 houses. Almost 70 to 80 percent of the town was destroyed, while between 10 to 100 residents were wounded. The town has a population of 1,300.

To provide assistance to the tornado victims, a shelter was established in Abilene, said sharon watson, spokeswoman of the kansas adjutant general's Department.

Another tornado, meanwhile, hit southern manhattan, with the miller ranch and Eureka Drive among the worst damaged areas. The twister also smashed the kansas state university campus, causing cars to turn turtle and smashing glass windows.

It destroyed the university's wind erosion Laboratory and caused heavy damage to the sigma alpha epsilon house, although all its residents were not harmed.

tom rawson, vice president for administration and finance of the kansas state university, estimated damage to go beyond $20 million. Because of the calamity, Wednesday's classes were canceled. freshman enrollment and orientation would go on as scheduled but will be held instead at the bramlage coliseum.

Aside from the state university, the tornado also destroyed several businesses, 30 homes and the Lee Elementary School in Manhattan.

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Thursday, June 12, 2008 |

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