Originally published June 12, 2008 at 12:47a.m., updated June 12, 2008 at 02:50a.m.

Tornadoes bring destruction to Chapman, Manhattan

By 49 News staff and wire report

VIDEO:

49's Jessica Drew provides the latest from Manhattan after a tornado touched down. Hear her report and an interview with a tornado victim.

Map of KSU damage

Members of the online community have developed a map of the damage caused by storms on the Kansas State University campus. Tap into the map of destruction and shelter locations.

Two of the hardest hit areas were in Dickinson County and Riley County.

The National Weather Service says a large tornado hit the south side of Manhattan.

In Manhattan, the fire department asking people to stay home. Stay inside.

Power lines are down, firefighters don't want anyone hurt or in the way of emergency crews.

49 News' Manhattan Bureau Reporter Annette Lawless said she has seen a lot of debris. The north side of the K-State campus suffered heavy damage. Rathbone Hall, known for it's glass roof, has no roof anymore. Ward Hall, home of a nuclear reactor, has been damaged. Annette has confirmed that the reactor is in safe mode and there is no danger from it.

49 Chief Meteorologist Matt Miller was on the air, tracking the tornado as it came into Manhattan Wednesday night. Watch as the drama unfolded on our Manhattan tower cam.

There are lots of trees down and some streets are flooded. Many vehicles are overturned and-or have other damage. Streets are blocked.

Also the power is out in parts of Manhattan. The southwest part of town was the hardest hit.

CNN is reporting that in Chapman, in Dickinson County, there are houses in the road. Widespread damage is reported there at this time.

Power lines are down, firefighters don't want anyone hurt or in the way of emergency crews.

Dave Sterbenz, Shawnee County Emergency Management Director, says his personnel are assisting Riley County.

A Red Cross shelter has been set up in Pottorff Hall in Cico Park.

Dickinson County EMS Director Brad Homman says in Chapman, there is one fatality, three seriously injured, 10 to 100 of what he described as "walking wounded."

Photo Gallery

Manhattan Tornado, 6-11-08

Severe weather brought damage to Manhattan Wednesday night. Viewers sent in some great pictures. Take a look.

He says 80 percent of Chapman is seriously damaged or destroyed. He's holding a 7 a.m. press conference Thursday.

Tune into 49 News Good Morning Kansas for further coverage.

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Comments

us_armywife (anonymous) says...

we are trying to get in touch with good friends living in chapman. we are very worried because we can not get them on the phone. please cover more of the chapman damage so that we might be able to see anything we can about them!
thanks.

June 12, 2008 at 1:48 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Responder (anonymous) says...

To US Army Wife (and others): In general, when you try to call into an active disaster scene, cell towers can get destroyed or knocked out from localized power issues. Also, everyone tends to jump on their cell phones (understandably) at the same time, bogging down the system. Hopefully your friends are okay, but the American Red Cross is on the scene and usually (in conjunction with local law enforcement and EMS) assumes the task of taking a 'head count' of affected populations and creates a tracking database via their shelter site (i.e. in the hospital, staying with friends/family, in a hotel).
I highly recommend that you and other concerned citizens to contact the ARC where they are located per the article as this is one of the ARC's main services on a disaster.

June 12, 2008 at 4:53 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

whiteni (anonymous) says...

I have been trying to get in touch with my Grandmother who lives at Meadowlark Hills Retirement Home. Does anyone know if they got hit or if they have power? ANY information would be greatly appreciated!

June 12, 2008 at 10:01 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

obiesmommy (anonymous) says...

Our Son Ben Dean and wife were loading there moving turck with all their stuff, when the storm was coming. He said they got it all out around 10 or 10:30 pm. They took the truck to their Church parking lot,and went to Naomi's siters house for cover. Thier son's were on base with a frind. Driving they could not see for it was really bad. They got into the basement and wated it out. They are moving to Portsmith OH for Naomi to start her new jobe as a Vet. She graduatered on the 16th of May and passed her KS and National boards.
Just 3 week ago today my mother, Ben's grandmother passed away as well as my cousin 2 days later. He called this morning and said they were fine. Everything they own was in the storage unit while they cleaned their apartment. If they had not loaded up last night, they wouls have lost everything. They are now going on base to pick up thier son's and head out. Naomi starts her job on the 15th and Ben fished his on Wed. at Junction City school district.
We are so thankful that they are alive as the storage unit was totale destroyed. We pray that everyone is thankful that no one was hurt at K_State.
Thank you for reading my note. Wileen Aurand Longmont, CO

June 12, 2008 at 10:35 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

mhkmom (anonymous) says...

whiteni - According to the police scanner, Meadowlark Hills was not hit by the tornado. Not sure if they have power. Hope this helps!

June 12, 2008 at 11:11 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

cowgirl (anonymous) says...

Does anyone know if the Manhattan Airport area was hit? I have friends who live in that area.

June 13, 2008 at 12:24 p.m. ( | suggest removal )