Heartland Center sustains damage in August tornado
Editor’s note:
The following information was provided by Rebecca Peak, Communications Director for the Dominican Sisters, concerning the August tornado that hit in and near Great Bend.The tornado warning call came shortly after 4 p.m. and sisters and staff at the convent followed all the drilled instructions, making their way quickly to designated spots which are deemed safest in the building.
The tornado touched down west of Great Bend, near Dundee, then skipped over Great Bend at tree level, before touching down again on two farmsteads northeast of the city, according to news reports. Both farms had damage to barns, outbuildings, and equipment, but the farm houses — and the people in them — were left intact.
Those on the lower level of the convent saw debris sweep around in the cul-de-sac of the parking area, and then a large mass come down beyond the trees near the laundry. Later, when we went out to investigate, it was discovered that the debris was the roof off the west wing of the convent. A large portion hit the carport, collapsing the north end on several cars. Two convent cars under the awning were damaged.
Besides the roof, the twister pulled about eight large trees out of the ground and toppled them over. While the two towering pines in the front door escaped damage, a few further out from the front of the convent weren’t as lucky. One near the entrance to the tennis-court parking lot half-blocked the way in, and another half-blocked the entrance behind the convent. A couple by the machine shed looked like dominos toppled over.
The large blue spruce north of the Guesthouse and Rachbauer also bit the dust, bringing down TV cables and part of the drain pipe on the northwest corner of Rachbauer. Our peach tree and some of the other fruit trees were split in two or severely pruned. In total, nine trees were uprooted and 31 were severely damaged.
"Some staff was in the convent and helped to assess damage and help care for the sisters, others returned to the convent on Friday after the threat had passed or came in on Saturday and Sunday. To all who helped, Thank you! Special thanks to Bob Roth, Rita Pivonka, Bernie Siewert, Dan Hertel, Kent Keenan, Andrew Keenan, Brenda Black, Brenda George, Sister Geraldine Eakes, and all the many others who helped. Also, thanks to the kitchen staff, who met the moment by making sandwiches and providing chips, pudding, and fruit to nourish worried sisters and staff Friday, helping to calm nerves and settle agitations. And all of the infirmary staff who cared for the sisters."