Tornado damage Ruston/LaTech

According to Mayor Walker this morning the state fire marshal's office and city inspectors had conducted 1,283 inspections. About 70 of those were for trees down on property but not impacting structures. The other 1,200+ are structure inspections. Those numbers show the magnitude of the damage.

No one on this thread has downplayed the impact on Ruston and its residents. But the decisions that Tech has to make regarding facilities in very quick order will impact Tech athletics for decades to come. It is imperative that the right decisions be made, but I don't have full confidence for those in power to make all of the right decisions.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by The Historian

Shane: I think we all agree that the most important thing is the people who were impacted. At the same time please don't take offense if we're discussing Tech athletics or the facilities impacted.

Both the baseball and softball seasons are moving forward. The state is going to move forward with its assessments of Tech's facilities, and Tech officials are going to have to make decisions in a relatively short period of time that will impact Tech athletics for decades to come. Many will have an opinion on it.

At the same time, you might have been impacted by this in so many ways. Directly or indirectly. I would encourage you to comment or at least read this board and keep us with Tech athletics, as well. I was impacted by both 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina. I made a mistake in the days and weeks after Katrina by not bringing more normalcy into my life. It was a dramatic help when I did.

---

We got DRILLED. We had one of the most beautiful tracts of land in Ruston. 8 acres half a mile from TECH. Almost every square inch of it impacted, but thankfully the least impacted was the home. I take no offense in discussions of the new park. My family is alive and well and property can be replaced and improved. Y’all figure it out, as long as you get rid of the dumbass lightweight AD.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by tenacious_dog

I thought Ruston High played in the city rec park on the south end of Ruston. Isn't all of that still under construction for the new, huge city rec project?

I guess more to the point is, where am I supposed to go for next weekend's games?

---

The RHS ballpark is south of town where the new complex is being completed. I'd say Tech wants to play/practice there due to the fact they have a brand new all-turf field (turf mound).

The University of West Monroe played there last month.
At the time we had to enter the complex from the Farmerville Street side. The US167 entrance (across from the Ruston Country Club) was closed at the time until the next entry is completed.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by The Historian

At the same time please don't take offense if we're discussing Tech athletics or the facilities impacted.

---

My home is in a neighborhood across the street from the Tech campus where Jenkins/McFarland used to be. My home lost some shingles, but was otherwise left unscathed. My neighbors were not so fortunate. The homes of every neighbor contiguous to my property received massive damage. There is no other way to put it; our neighborhood was demolished.

But you certainly owe us no apology for being concerned about Louisiana Tech. I can speak for our entire neighborhood. We have nothing but praise for how Ruston, Louisiana Tech, Lincoln Parish, and even parishes contiguous to Lincoln Parish have handled this disaster. The tornado hit our neighborhood at 1:52 a.m. (Yes, I took time to check the time when we first heard the tornado) I will post pictures later if you care to see them, but you literally could not tell where the roads were because they were covered with so many trees. There was no way in or out without literally climbing over the debris. At places, the debris was six feet or more on the roads. There was no way in for emergency vehicles to get to us. Because the tornado intensified and wiped out Ruston near the interstate, and we were tucked away, I doubt emergency workers even knew to come.

By 3:15, the first volunteers from the city and Tech (all students) started to show up. By daybreak and army of citizens and students had climbed over the debris to get to us. Most were carrying chain saws. By noon a volunteer group from Homer had come in with logging equipment and cleared a path through the debris so vehicles could enter our neighborhood. By the end of the day hundreds of people had brought in food, water, and muscle.

A promenent poster/administrator on this board brought us a generator.

So, I want all of you to know that I have no doubt that everybody was concerned about us; that everybody was willing to help with money, time, muscle, equipment, and expertise. We do not feel the least bit unloved nor neglected. In fact, we are overwhelmed by the love the community has shown us. I have never felt more loved nor more cared for than I do right now. I think all of you have enough love to share with us and your alma mater.

Thank all of you.

That's amazing. Thank you for sharing.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by The Historian

It's been discussed on campus for the past 10 years. It's the answer, and everyone knows it. But a couple of administrators on Tech's campus have been against it, because it infringes on the greenspace/intramural fields that have been discussed for that space for the last 25 years.

---

Given the location of student housing and the intramural complex, it makes more sense to have the green space/intramural fields where the baseball/softball/soccer fields are located. I can understand the resistance to relocate the athletic fields prior to this catastrophe. Now, though, Tech has the opportunity to build a state of the art complex and all that would be required is to demolish the remaining dorms across the railroad tracks.

At this point I don’t think it really matters where Tech plays it’s remaining home games. No matter where it is, it isn’t home. Just like this year, the Ruston High field doesn’t exactly have a great home field aura about it as far as winning big games goes. Ruston was #6 hosting #11 seed and lost 2 of 2 in a 3 games series to be eliminated in the state playoffs. Watching both my son’s play at Ruston some years ago it was the same thing. In general Ruston teams underachieve, so Tech fits in quite comfortably.

In addition up until recently the Dawgs were a very good road team. We really can’t say that any more and we’ve got several more challenges staring us right in the face. Who we are at this point game by game is a coin flip. Our team identity has been literally blown in the wind. I truly hope we find our footing before we get buried by bad things continuing to happen.

I’m all in for building a new era field sports complex. It makes perfect sense to me to level the western region of old dorms and start anew.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bone_afide_Dawg

At this point I don’t think it really matters where Tech plays it’s remaining home games. No matter where it is, it isn’t home. Just like this year, the Ruston High field doesn’t exactly have a great home field aura about it as far as winning big games goes. Ruston was #6 hosting #11 seed and lost 2 of 2 in a 3 games series to be eliminated in the state playoffs. Watching both my son’s play at Ruston some years ago it was the same thing. In general Ruston teams underachieve, so Tech fits in quite comfortably.

In addition up until recently the Dawgs were a very good road team. We really can’t say that any more and we’ve got several more challenges staring us right in the face. Who we are at this point game by game is a coin flip. Our team identity has been literally blown in the wind. I truly hope we find our footing before we get buried by bad things continuing to happen.

I’m all in for building a new era field sports complex. It makes perfect sense to me to level the western region of old dorms and start anew.

---

Yes, I'd like to see them play again this year in Ruston, but it won't be the same if not at JC Love. My hope is that we can swap out next year's series with WKU.

I believe building from scratch would be much faster than a demolition of JC Love then building from scratch.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Soonerdawg

My home is in a neighborhood across the street from the Tech campus where Jenkins/McFarland used to be. My home lost some shingles, but was otherwise left unscathed. My neighbors were not so fortunate. The homes of every neighbor contiguous to my property received massive damage. There is no other way to put it; our neighborhood was demolished.

But you certainly owe us no apology for being concerned about Louisiana Tech. I can speak for our entire neighborhood. We have nothing but praise for how Ruston, Louisiana Tech, Lincoln Parish, and even parishes contiguous to Lincoln Parish have handled this disaster. The tornado hit our neighborhood at 1:52 a.m. (Yes, I took time to check the time when we first heard the tornado) I will post pictures later if you care to see them, but you literally could not tell where the roads were because they were covered with so many trees. There was no way in or out without literally climbing over the debris. At places, the debris was six feet or more on the roads. There was no way in for emergency vehicles to get to us. Because the tornado intensified and wiped out Ruston near the interstate, and we were tucked away, I doubt emergency workers even knew to come.

By 3:15, the first volunteers from the city and Tech (all students) started to show up. By daybreak and army of citizens and students had climbed over the debris to get to us. Most were carrying chain saws. By noon a volunteer group from Homer had come in with logging equipment and cleared a path through the debris so vehicles could enter our neighborhood. By the end of the day hundreds of people had brought in food, water, and muscle.

A promenent poster/administrator on this board brought us a generator.

So, I want all of you to know that I have no doubt that everybody was concerned about us; that everybody was willing to help with money, time, muscle, equipment, and expertise. We do not feel the least bit unloved nor neglected. In fact, we are overwhelmed by the love the community has shown us. I have never felt more loved nor more cared for than I do right now. I think all of you have enough love to share with us and your alma mater.

Thank all of you.

---

Great post, Sooner.

In that cult favorite, and surprisingly very good movie "Starman" the alien is asked what he thinks of Earthlings, humans. He says: "you are at your best, when things are at their worst."

That sums of the human spirit that times like this in Ruston bring out.

https://vimeo.com/333035227

Somewhere on this board I read the grandstand had already been condemned. And I heard someone say it on Sportstalk yesterday afternoon. But I haven't heard or read that from a Tech official. So my question is, is it true the grandstand has been condemned and who/when was that made public?

No agenda, just want to know what the situation is.

Looks like gonna play the WKU series at ULM. Practice at RHS not that big of deal, little inconvenient but nothing that should disrupt the teams ability to prepare. Hopefully we get back to winning baseball tonight. Move the chains, move the chains, score more points!!

I have been told that the mayor said in his fireside chat this morning that 100% of the power has been restored to Ruston. I guess he is counting my generator. ;-). All kidding aside, I am sure it will be awhile before power can be safely restored in our neighborhood.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by tenacious_dog

Somewhere on this board I read the grandstand had already been condemned. And I heard someone say it on Sportstalk yesterday afternoon. But I haven't heard or read that from a Tech official. So my question is, is it true the grandstand has been condemned and who/when was that made public?

No agenda, just want to know what the situation is.

---

I haven't seen anything official from Tech, but our baseball and softball staffs have been openly talking about it. Coach Montgomery was on the morning drive show on 97.7 yesterday and said that baseball, softball, and soccer had all been deemed a total loss.

I picked up on part but not all of it. Unfortunately, 97.7 doesn't have the ability to stream or archive shows right now. So I can't tell you exactly what was said.

Not that I have any say, but I’m not in favor of playing our remaining games at ULM. Ruston is our home town so if its possible to play at the Ruston High field then that’s what I’d rather see happen. I know it’s not likely to be to the standard of the Tech field or even the ULM field but it is Ruston ground. I also have no idea how fair a field it would be for college players as far as outfield distances go. Meaning, I’m not interested in seeing some sort of home run derby competition. The last thing is that I hope by then the series really matters and that we’re not just going through the motions to end the year.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by PawDawg

Yes, I'd like to see them play again this year in Ruston, but it won't be the same if not at JC Love. My hope is that we can swap out next year's series with WKU.

I believe building from scratch would be much faster than a demolition of JC Love then building from scratch.

---

Will Tech be able to afford new facilities? What is the range insurance will pay?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Soonerdawg

I have been told that the mayor said in his fireside chat this morning that 100% of the power has been restored to Ruston. I guess he is counting my generator. ;-). All kidding aside, I am sure it will be awhile before power can be safely restored in our neighborhood.

---

Does Ruston still have its own Ruston owned plant and system?

@FletchWorldwide: Burroughs: The Love Shack is probably going to have to be replaced. It's blocked off right now to everyone. Locker rooms and offices were cleaned out yesterday. We're grateful to use Ruston High as our practice facility for the rest of the season.

Burroughs: It's not a done deal, but Coach Federico at @ULM_BSB reached out to let us host Western Kentucky at their stadium. It's 95% done, but not quite yet.

Burroughs: They say adversity reveals character. Grant Jones is a young man that has only had one at bat and doesn't travel with us. He took it upon himself to get the valuables out of the locker room to keep in a safe place, and move everyone's cars.

Fletch has some more quotes on his Twitter

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by sportdawg

@FletchWorldwide: Burroughs: The Love Shack is probably going to have to be replaced. It's blocked off right now to everyone. Locker rooms and offices were cleaned out yesterday. We're grateful to use Ruston High as our practice facility for the rest of the season.

Burroughs: It's not a done deal, but Coach Federico at @ULM_BSB reached out to let us host Western Kentucky at their stadium. It's 95% done, but not quite yet.

Burroughs: They say adversity reveals character. Grant Jones is a young man that has only had one at bat and doesn't travel with us. He took it upon himself to get the valuables out of the locker room to keep in a safe place, and move everyone's cars.

Fletch has some more quotes on his Twitter

---

https://twitter.com/FletchWorldWide

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by The Historian

https://twitter.com/FletchWorldWide

---

Thanks - can't access twitter from work computer, so I was copy & pasting from phone.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by sportdawg

@FletchWorldwide: Burroughs: The Love Shack is probably going to have to be replaced. It's blocked off right now to everyone. Locker rooms and offices were cleaned out yesterday. We're grateful to use Ruston High as our practice facility for the rest of the season.

Burroughs: It's not a done deal, but Coach Federico at @ULM_BSB reached out to let us host Western Kentucky at their stadium. It's 95% done, but not quite yet.

Burroughs: They say adversity reveals character. Grant Jones is a young man that has only had one at bat and doesn't travel with us. He took it upon himself to get the valuables out of the locker room to keep in a safe place, and move everyone's cars.

Fletch has some more quotes on his Twitter

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by The Historian

https://twitter.com/FletchWorldWide

---

Thanks.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by stodgdog

Will Tech be able to afford new facilities? What is the range insurance will pay?

---

Previous posts to this thread indicate that the state self-insures it's properties. Some other items like the turf and scoreboard may have insurance (speculation). There may be FEMA money available, plus donations.

As others have said, if we have to start from scratch, let's do it right.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by The Historian

I haven't seen anything official from Tech, but our baseball and softball staffs have been openly talking about it. Coach Montgomery was on the morning drive show on 97.7 yesterday and said that baseball, softball, and soccer had all been deemed a total loss.

I picked up on part but not all of it. Unfortunately, 97.7 doesn't have the ability to stream or archive shows right now. So I can't tell you exactly what was said.

---

So, are Joe Aillet Stadium and the football facilities ok?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by HogDawg

So, are Joe Aillet Stadium and the football facilities ok?

---

yes

I say play the games in Monroe -

If Grambling's field was in better condition - I would be all for playing it there but it's not, there are a lot of better HS fields around - if GSU had turf, it would be a NO brainer

Not a time to be petty about where we play our final 3 home games - from all reports Softball went well in Monroe and we know their press facilities will be a lot better than GSU's

I really think next year we could see a split home schedule - first part at the new Ruston complex - second half in our new digs wherever they maybe

The Historian posted a break down of the state's self-insurance program - we should be ok in that area, but remember depreciation and everything kicks in when considering replacement costs and if our costs with the secondary carrier haven't been up graded prior to the storm then we could see less $$$ than we were expecting

As far as FEMA is concerned - I think a Presidential declaration has to be issued before the 75%/25% amounts kick into play - unless I've missed it, I haven't seen one - nor has a PA# been issued

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Dwayne From Minden

I say play the games in Monroe -

If Grambling's field was in better condition - I would be all for playing it there but it's not, there are a lot of better HS fields around - if GSU had turf, it would be a NO brainer

Not a time to be petty about where we play our final 3 home games - from all reports Softball went well in Monroe and we know their press facilities will be a lot better than GSU's

I really think next year we could see a split home schedule - first part at the new Ruston complex - second half in our new digs wherever they maybe

The Historian posted a break down of the state's self-insurance program - we should be ok in that area, but remember depreciation and everything kicks in when considering replacement costs and if our costs with the secondary carrier haven't been up graded prior to the storm then we could see less $$$ than we were expecting

As far as FEMA is concerned - I think a Presidential declaration has to be issued before the 75%/25% amounts kick into play - unless I've missed it, I haven't seen one - nor has a PA# been issued

---

If we're playing on a university facility, yeah, I'd just say GSU, but if their grass is not in shape, ULM is a no brainer.

Here's what Greg Hilburn reported from Baton Rouge:

https://www.thenewsstar.com/story/ne...er/3625409002/

Thanks T-mo

So it appears only the public facility (TECH/RUSTON/LINCOLN/UNION) side will kick in on the 75/25 with not enough damage on the public side to trigger the individual assistance $$$

And BTW - we are still "waiting" for about $400k here at the parish level for pre-2016 damage and mitigation efforts from FEMA...