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| An aerial view of extensive damage to a residential section in the city of Chapman. Staff photo by Rod Mikinski |
"We had about 45 minutes notice before issuing the tornado warning," Collins said.
Collins said once the tornado entered Riley County, it basically cut a path from the K-State printing facility in the city's technological park on Wildcat Creek Road and steam rolled its way northeast, hitting the Miller Ranch housing area and the Amherst Avenue area.
"It was hit and miss," Collins said. "There were homes totally destroyed and a few with windows knocked out with debris in yard. It cut an awesome path the way trees are busted up and turned around."
The tornado dealt out major damage to several businesses along Seth Child Avenue, leveling the new Waters True Value Hardware store and leaving Little Apple Toyota Honda a tangled mess. A self-storage complex, gymnastics center and muffler shop were also damaged.
From there, the tornado skipped over a part of town and touched down again just west of K-State, damaging Lee Elementary School and several residences on College Heights Avenue. The tornado continued its northeasterly path across the campus and lifted in the vicinity of Moore Hall.
"We estimate the tornado was two to four blocks wide," Collins said.
RCPD Lt. Kurt Moldrup reported there were "well over 30 homes" leveled in the Miller Ranch, and that police and city fire department personnel were conducting search and rescue efforts in that area. Residents were bused out of the area early this morning.
"We're just allowing citizens that live in affected areas to return to their homes to check their residences," Moldrup said. "We are asking the general public not to go in there."
Moldrup said an American Red Cross emergency shelter was set up at Pottorf Hall in CiCo Park, and six people showed up over night. He said that total could increase as the day goes along. Cash donations to assist tornado impacted families can be sent to the Red Cross. Those needing assistance from the Red Cross should call 537-2180.
The Kansas National Guard was called in to assist in maintaining security around the damaged areas. Police officials reported two arrests for looting along the Seth Child corridor. A third looter escaped arrest.
Emergency officials reported zero serious injuries as a result of the tornado, with minor injuries reported to people who ventured out to view the storm damage.
Manhattan City Manager Ron Fehr reported there was no damage at the Manhattan Regional Airport, which was hit by a major hail storm about 10 days ago.
Tornado damage was also reported in the Eureka Valley area, with severe damage to a mobile home and structural damage to other homes.
As of mid-morning, there were still 1,900 Westar Energy customers in Riley County without power. At the peak of the outage that number was in excess of 3,000 customers.
Collins said putting a dollar estimate on tornado damage may never be possible.
"We probably won't have a cost estimate," Collins said. "That is a protective item the insurance companies have. They may or may not give us that information."
Riley County Commission Chairman Bob Newsome signed a disaster declaration Wednesday night. Emergency officials hope that will lead to an eventual presidential disaster declaration. Collins said the state might team Riley County with other counties that sustained tornado damage in seeking that federal aid.
Riley County Appraiser Greg McHenry has dispatched teams into the tornado-damaged areas to compile damage assessment statistics that will be given to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
City clerk Gary Fees noted that residents who would like to volunteer to help tornado victims in cleaning up should call 587-2489 or 587-2404.
"This also pertains to people that were hit by the storm and would like (volunteer) help," Fehr said.
The Salvation Army was also helping out by providing food to tornado victims and emergency personnel.
Among those expected to be in Manhattan this evening to survey the damage include Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, Sens. Pat Roberts and Sam Brownback and Rep. Nancy Boyda.
