Tornado Tears Through University Of Wisconsin Campus
BySeveral buildings on the University of Wisconsin-Platteville campus sustained severe damage following an EF-2 tornado Monday evening, the Journal Sentinel reported.
The tornado significantly impacted the school's Pioneer Stadium, where football and soccer games are played. It twisted metal bleachers, shifted concrete beams under the stadium, and bent light towers, Dan Wackershauser, spokesman for the university, told the Journal Sentinel.
Damage also included broken windows, partial roof destruction, downed and split trees on campus, including Rountree Commons, Bridgeway Commons, Southwest Hall, Engineering Hall, the Greenhouse as well as Memorial Park.
There were no fatalities and no significant injuries that required medical attention on campus, according to school officials.
"The recovery process will take time, but rest assured [University of Wisconsin-Platteville] will be ready to serve all of our students this fall," University of Wisconsin-Platteville Chancellor Dennis J. Shields said in a statement. "More than any natural disaster, it is dedication and commitment that defines a community. And, while we will most certainly face challenges in the days and weeks ahead, we choose to view the process of rebuilding as a source of opportunity."
Students and university staff volunteered to clear the school's Pioneer Stadium of debris Tuesday afternoon.
Fourth-year student Taylor Stanley told the Journal Sentinel she was saddened to see the state of the field on "which they hoped to play their senior soccer season."
"It's our senior season and now we're told we might not play on our home field," Stanley said.
Damage assessment activities are being carried out by school staff, University of Wisconsin system staff, insurance teams and engineering groups. No dollar amount has been determined, and no dates for the building re-openings have been set yet, school officials announced.
"Thanks to the first responders, community members, faculty and staff who have been working tirelessly to take care of those affected by the storm and clean up the debris the tornado left behind," Shields said. "They have accomplished a great deal in a short amount of time."
School officials said that they were committed to being open on time for students who arrive in the fall.