Pelting rain and high winds left several people injured and extensive damage to the ISU campus after a tornado touched down in Ames.

Seven people were injured after severe weather hit Iowa State on Thursday afternoon, which uprooted trees and left limbs scattered throughout campus.

Executive director of University Relations John McCarroll said only one injury resulted in hospitalization, but none of the injured could be identified as ISU students.

Of the injuries reported, one occurred near the Gerdin Business Building, two occurred at the parking lots near the Iowa State Center, two occurred near the General Services Building and two occurred at the Fisher-Nickell area.

Chris Maiers, senior in meteorology, said he was demonstrating weather-tracking software to a class of Meteorology 111 students when the storm passed through Ames.

Maiers said even though a tornado warning was not issued, Story County was under two severe thunderstorm warnings and weather stations in Ames reported winds exceeding 80 mph.

Officials at the National Weather Service in Johnston confirmed the storm was an F1 tornado based on estimates from a damage survey and the way debris was lying.

Steve Salvo, operations administrator for the Ames Public Works, said city areas damaged most by the storm were isolated.

“[Damage] was isolated in various spots in Campustown and Old Town, an area north of downtown. We only had about a half a dozen limbs come down and had some isolated flooding areas, like the area under the [Grand Avenue] overpass,” he said.

On Thursday, Salvo said city cleanup should be finished quickly.

Cleanup on campus, however, may take longer.

“I would say we have over a week of cleanup activity,” said Bob Currie, assistant director for faculty services for facilities planning and management. “Right now we’re just trying to secure the damaged areas.”

According to a damage report from Currie, large tree tops and branches were broken throughout campus, including two trees that were uprooted near the Agronomy Hall courtyard, and light poles were damaged and a large window was broken at CY Stephens Auditorium.

“What’s challenging this weekend is the big game, so we’ll be concentrating manpower to that, which will slow down the cleanup,” Currie said.

Three ISU patrol cars, an ambulance, a fire truck and ISU Campus Services were dispatched in front of the General Services Building, where two of the injuries occurred.

Eric Donels, junior in health and human performance, was driving on Wallace Road when the storm hit.

His 1998 Jeep Cherokee 4×4 was damaged from falling debris caused by the storm.

“Branches were falling all over the place and one fell and hit my rear windshield,” he said. “All kinds of debris fell in my car — there is dirt and leaves everywhere.”

Vehicles parked northeast of Jack Trice Stadium were also damaged.

Portable toilets had fallen over and a tent from Party Time Special Events, 302 S. 3rd St., had blown over onto at least six cars; the tent’s frame was damaged and poles hit several vehicles.

An employee of Party Time was already surveying damaged vehicles, which included broken windows and tail lights, dented hoods and damaged frames, by the time the storm had passed.

“Everything’s going to be looked at and done so we can be ready for the game,” said Michael Mores, program coordinator for the athletic department.