Next door to the MRFI, the roof was damaged on the newly built Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center. Adjacent to the arts center was Byrd Field football stadium. Damage was relatively minor at the stadium, with a few seats torn off and signs shattered. The nearby indoor football field was destroyed when the “bubble” structure was blown away.
The funnel then enveloped Denton Hall. Freshman Justin Fenton was in his seventh-floor dorm room when his window fan was sucked out. With now a clear view of the outside, he saw the tornado coming his way. Justin’s mind flashed back to the 9/11 attacks that occurred two weeks prior, and he was scared that the building would crash down. He ran into the hallway with a group of other people until the storm passed. Michelle Thomas had been awakened from her afternoon nap when someone knocked on the door to warn her. She looked out the window and watched the tornado approach. She left the room for shelter, but upon returning, found a mess. Her windows were blown out, posters were shredded, and debris was strewed about. When Michelle moved out in the spring, she was still finding pieces of glass. According to the Diamondback News, Michelle suffered PTSD from the storm, and 20 years later, she is still struggling when there are storms.
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