Alva Review-Courier -

Thank goodness nobody was at the South Barber High School Football Stadium Saturday evening in Kiowa, Kansas, between 6 and 7 p.m.

At press time it was still undetermined if it was super strong straight-line winds, a twister, or a "downburst" that blew the somewhat new bleachers and press box from the home side (southwest) across the track and football field. The twisted metal landed on the visitors side (northeast).

When asked about the disaster, South Barber Superintendent Dr. Andi Williams said the force of the storm split four concrete pylons that secure the bleachers. With all that blowing onto the football field, she said the gridiron has "deep gashes and grooves that need repaired."

As the debris also damaged the track, it will need to be replaced, the superintendent said.

One of the tall light poles that tower over the football field was damaged in the other significant wind storm that hit Kiowa about a month ago.

"The field has to be repaired and the lighting replaced," Dr. Williams said. "Our goal is to have home games. Hopefully we can. You might have to bring your own chair."

South Barber's first scheduled home game is Sept. 8 against Norwich.

The superintendent said a supplemental heating unit was completely blown off the roof of the high school building. Another unit is damaged.

"The roof (at the high school) was already totaled from the last hail storm," Dr. Williams said. Fortunately, it had not yet been replaced.

She said the gas piping project on the high school is ongoing and partially completed. While looking for other damage to that building, the superintendent said they saw a spot where part of the roof started to pull away from the structure.

Other Damage to South Barber Property

Dr. Williams told about other damage to USD255 property from the storm. The vo-ag door was damaged and other windows have gaps. The FFA trailer slammed into a building.

The superintendent there was lots of water standing around the elementary building. "For the most part it didn't come in," she said thankfully.

Vehicles had additional hail damage, she said. Remarkably, only one bus had a broken window.

"We seem to find new damages every time we do a walk through," Dr. Williams said. "Our goal is to keep everything going." South Barber's enrollment was to start Monday; however, the superintendent said they pushed enrollment back one week due to electric and internet issues from the storm.

Insurance adjusters were expected early this week. The superintendent said insurance will pay for the major things. Then there is the tree damage and cleanup. She said there are some "major metal items" that must be removed.

"The school had so many volunteers (to help clean). It was just amazing," the superintendent said thankfully.

Expressing gratitude that no one was injured, Dr. Williams shared a fun old saying: "If it can be repaired or fixed – it ain't no thing."