Tornado disfigures K-State campus
University's nuclear reactor safe, despite damage to building
1:22 p.m. Thursday, June 12, 2008
Photo Gallery
K-State campus' damage on June 12, 2008
These pictures were taken following the June 12, 2008 tornado that swept through Manhattan.
Kansas State University has cancelled all classes today. Surveyors have been out, and early damage estimates put the financial loss at $20 million.
Many campus buildings are without power, and debris is littering the campus.
Cardwell Hall, Burt Hall and the engineering complex were all damaged. Ward Hall, the home to K-State's nuclear reactor, was damaged. Staff has already covered the roof to protect the reactor, which officials say remains safe and unharmed. University cars were overturned and trees uprooted too.
The Sigma Alpha Epsilon house also sustained major damage, but all residents are safe. The roof blew off and landed nearly 100 feet across the street.
"What surprised me the most is I saw 10 wrapped around power lines and all that ,and I have no idea where it came from. So it was just pretty amazing," one Kansas State student said.
Another shook his head in disbelief when confronted with the damage to campus.
"I just hope they fix it before classes start and everything. I just think it's very surprising. I didn't think it would happen. It's very weird I guess," K-State student Matt Hertel said.
Extended interview
Watch a report from Annette Lawless on what Kansas State University students thought when they found out how bad campus was hit. Go.
People spewed out into the streets to access the damage.
"There were people everywhere. I've never seen this many people out in Manhattan before," K-State Student Spencer Childs said.
See more photos of the damage at K-State on K-State.edu.
June 12, 2008 Northeast and Central Kansas storm coverage
- Tornado victim: "There's nothing left" of Manhattan business (June 12, 2008)
- Tornadoes bring destruction to Chapman, Manhattan (June 12, 2008)
- Two people killed in Kansas tornadoes (June 12, 2008)
- Twister kills man in Soldier, destroys property (June 12, 2008)
- 49 Chief Meteorologist Matt Miller tracks the tornado that flattened parts of Manhattan and K-State campus (June 11, 2008)
Check out the damage clean-up on our Manhattan sky cam.
Coming soon, local, young television talent will shine on 49 News Kidcasts. Check back to see local kids, 4th through 8th grade, to give the weather on TV.
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