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Storm Rips off Smoky Valley High School's Roof While Kids Inside

June 14, 2010

By MELODY PETTIT
(LINDSBORG, Kans.)

Strong winds in Lindsborg scared of group of kids at basketball practice. They were playing in the gym of their school when it started raining inside.

"I didn't realize the winds were that strong to uproot this huge tree," said a Bethany College worker cleaning up tree limbs.

Trees up-rooted and branches came down across campus as crews work to clean up the mess.

"I stepped outside on the porch right when it happened and the tree almost hit me," said a Salina man whose porch was destroyed by a tree.

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In Salina more trees are down and more damage.

Those same strong winds ripped the roof off of Smoky Valley High School in Lindsborg.

"It was a helpless feeling, seeing all that water come in and not being able to do anything about it," said Smoky Hill Superintendent Glen Suppes.

Smoky Valley officials pumped about 600 gallons of water off the gym floor and say there's still more underneath it.

"It was raining inside as much as it was outside," said Suppes.

Boy's basketball practice was just wrapping up Sunday evening when the coach heard the wind.

"It sounded like dominoes falling a ripping and tearing sound," said Doug Schneider.

That's when he knew something wasn't right.

"We knew we had to get the kids someplace safe as quick as possible," Schneider said.

After the winds died down they went back into the gym and saw the damage.

"The roof was pulled back 1/4th of the way," said Suppes.

"It was an eerie feeling as it was raining inside, the kids were a little shook up, but we made it out okay," Schneider said.

Nobody was hurt but the damage is apparent; cleanup continues.

Smokey Valley School officials say the gym is about 12-years old and are expecting several hundred-thousand dollars in repairs.

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