June 25, 2009
Morning wind storm hits campus; athletic fields damaged
Severe weather, including high-velocity straight-line winds, struck the Northwest campus today shortly after 5 a.m. There were no injuries but moderate damage was reported to campus athletic facilities, and three University buildings lost electricity, including the University Wellness Center, which switched to auxiliary power shortly after the storm hit.Northwest Emergency Coordinator Jerry Wilmes and Campus Safety Director Clarence Green said early today that no damage was reported to residence halls or academic buildings, and that classes and administrative functions would not be interrupted.
Green said Environmental Services crews arrived on campus to assess damage and start clearing downed trees and limbs within minutes after the storm hit. Senior University administrators, including President Dean L. Hubbard and President-Select John Jasinski, were notified immediately.
In addition to the Wellness Center, the athletic grounds maintenance building and College Park Pavilion also lost power. Wilmes and Green said neither facility is critical to normal University operations, and that crews from the Kansas City Power & Light Co. were dispatched to the scene.
Damage to Northwest athletic facilities includes:
- Softball and baseball's outfield fences
- Frank Grube and High Rise Tennis court fences (playing surfaces were not damaged and tennis camp took place today as scheduled)
- Three soccer goals
- Track throwing areas, high jump and pole vault pits
- 3-4 seats in Bearcat Stadium
- Minor damage to the FieldTurf (debris has been cleared and football camp will begin Friday on the surface as scheduled)
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