A devastating Category F4 tornado struck Hoisington, Kans., on Saturday night, April 21; Sunday morning found members of the Kansas Disaster Assessment Program on the scene inspecting the damage. Working until dark, the assessment teams—architects, structural engineers, and building inspectors who are certified disaster inspectors—thoroughly checked 410 structures.

A breakdown of the damage shows:

Of 378 single-family residences:
• 32 had no damage
• 144 were habitable with minor damage
• 94 allow limited entry with moderate to severe damage
• 104 were unsafe.

Of 7 multifamily buildings:
• 3 were habitable with minor damage
• 1 allows limited entry with minor to severe damage
• 3 were unsafe

Of 27 commercial buildings:
• 14 were habitable with minor damage
• 7 allow limited entry with minor to severe damage
• 6 were unsafe.

AIA Kansas thanks the following members for their participation: Stan Peterson, AIA, Kansas Disaster Assessment Program State Co-coordinator; Andrew Steffes, AIA, SC Coordinator; Vincent Mancini, AIA, SW Coordinator; Alan Stecklein, AIA, NW Coordinator; William Mankin, AIA, NC Coordinator; John Brewer, AIA; Joe Carmichael, AIA; Warren Ediger, AIA; Art Jones, AIA; Ed Knox, AIA; Chip Parker, AIA; Jim Putnam, AIA; Todd Renyer, Assoc. AIA; Greg Sims, AIA; and Spec Woods, AIA.

Copyright 2001 The American Institute of Architects. All rights reserved.