Posted on 11/30/2005 3:39:00 PM PST by SandRat
FORT RILEY, Kan. (Army News Service, Nov. 30, 2005) -- Although no injuries were reported, the tornado that struck Fort Riley Nov. 27 displaced 17 military families and damaged nearly 33 sets of quarters to the point they were uninhabitable, post officials said.
Garrison emergency crews and recovery teams responded to the tornado within minutes of touch down, establishing a command post in the Ellis Heights housing area, which bore the brunt of the tornado's wrath.
Many of the displaced families were relocated to local hotels at no charge to the individuals, while several families elected to stay with friends or family in local homes. Other families are currently away from post, either on vacation or staying with relatives while the Soldier is deployed or on temporary duty elsewhere. All family pets are accounted for, officials reported.
Repair of the damaged quarters has already begun, and could take up to several weeks, depending on the severity of the damage. The majority of damage includes broken windows and torn siding.
The tornado also broke trees and damaged numerous headstones at the post cemetery. Garrison officials have begun contacting affected families to address headstone replacement.
Fort Riley Public Works officials initially estimated the cost to repair the damage to the post and remove the debris to be more than $1 million. A more detailed assessment is ongoing, officials said.
(Editor’s note: Information provided by Debra Skidmore, Fort Riley PAO.)
Yikes. We were stationed at Leavonworth and saw many strange skies. I was 13 and playing golf one time when the sirens went off. Completely out in the open.
I've been in Kansas since 1986, first at Ft. Riley and then Leavenworth. My son and I earned our Offical Tornado Spotter certificate from the Geary County Sheriff's office.
Have yet to see a tornado in Kansas, although I did see one in Nashville, TN; and have seen hurricanes in Mobile, New Orleans and North Carolina. Go figure.
A significant tornado in northern Kansas in late October? It would be nothing out of the ordinary in Oklahoma, but in that part of Kansas, Dorothy aside, it's a mite unusual.
I was stationed there decades ago, some storms from hell hit the base at times.
Junction City was a real downer for young GI's, but, even as a 17 year old I could buy beer there.
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