A combination of Hurricane Ike and a cold front from Canada created tornado force winds which hit IU Southeast Sunday afternoon causing catastrophic damage to the Life Science building; IUS grounds; the Activities Building and minor damage to Crestview and the IUS Library.
“We’ve had 70 m.p.h wind damage before but I think this is the most damage we’ve had in a while,” John Brendle, grounds supervisor, said. “It could take a month at least to take care of all the damage.”
Robert Snip, Physical Plant Director, said severe roof damage took place primarily on the Activities and the Physical Science Building. Snip said it could be interesting to see how the Repair and Rehabilitation funds, which IUS was receiving from the state to replace the roofs of the Activities Building, Crestview and Hillside, will work out with the insurance cost and repairs.
“It could be a while before anyone is even allowed to enter the Activities Building,” Snip said. “Since we are self insured we will have the roofs temporarily fixed with plastic or maybe something else and wait for the funds to build the new roof.”
Snip said due to be self insured they went through the IUS Police to help with the damage reports.
“The police got in touch with Media Services so we could have a DVD made showing live-footage of the severity of the wide-spread damage for making any insurance claims.” Snip Said.
Meagan Seufert, Special Education Freshman, said she barely made it to campus in her small car when the wind began and once she made it to campus that is when she saw the damage begin to take place.
“It was pretty wicked,” Seufert said. “I just came up from home and wasn’t here a couple minutes before the damage started happening. “
Seufert’s friend Jackie Blackgrow, Graphic Design Freshman, said she didn’t know how bad the wind was till she received a phone call from Seufert.
“The only reason I knew how severe the wind damage had become was thanks to Meagan” Blackgrow said. “She told me it was windy and her car was all over the road. Then I looked out the window and saw the wind get increasingly worse.”
The only inconvenience the dorm residents experienced was power outage. The roofs held strong against the winds unlike the roofs of the Activities Building, Crestview or the Life Science building.
“We were making cookies and the power kept going out which was the worst part for us,” Seufert said. “I felt pretty safe in the dorms.”
Blackgrow said she could not believe how easily trees were being destroyed not only by the wind but falling debris.
“I saw trees being thrown around like they were nothing,” said Blackgrow. “I can’t believe the roof is laying in-between and smashing the trees next to Life Science.”
Snip said the trees on campus were 50 to 60 years old and many were destroyed by the wind.
“Unfortunately we have lost a lot of history today.” Snip said.
By ERICA SELLERS
Staff Writer
emseller@ius.edu
