A tornado was reported Monday just before 6 PM in Blanket causing damage to the town’s school, cemetery, and knocking down trees and power lines in the south part of town.
Brown County Emergency Management Coordinator Brent Bush was on scene assessing damage shortly after the storm hit and said that no injuries were reported.
Part of the school’s gym roof was ripped off causing rain and hail to flood the inside of the building. Two air conditioner units were also pulled off of the roof of the school causing water leaks throughout the building. A rollup door, bus barn, and dumpsters were also damaged at the school.
Teachers and students were at the school at the time preparing for a sports banquet. Coach Scott Edmonson said that he was present when the tornado hit.
“I didn’t see the tornado, but saw the wind shift suddenly in the parking lot,” Edmonson said. “It was over in about 10 seconds and caused all of the damage.”
He checked about a half-dozen classrooms after the storm and each one had water leaking from the roof around the air conditioning ducts. The air conditioners were newly installed just last week.
Officials at Blanket Schools said that this is their last week of classes and they are planning to cancel school for the reaminder of the year because of the damage.
Damage in the Blanket Cemetery was also reported, but a large utility pole was blocking the road to the cemetery while crews worked to restore power to that part of town.
Pictured at top is the inside of the gym where part of the roof was damaged.
Damaged bus barn at Blanket School.
Outside of Blanket School gym.
Damage at the rodeo arena
Debris from the dumpsters blown around
Debris and damage to building
Rollup door damaged at school
Debris and one of the air condition units blown off of the roof.
Early Volunteer Fire Department on scene to assist.
Down power lines
