Severe storms caused extensive damage to Tallahassee, including the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory (MagLab) and other areas of the Florida State University (FSU) campus.
The MagLab, often referred to as the city’s primary defence against severe weather, experienced damage caused by tornados and thunderstorms that passed through the area on Friday morning.
As a safety measure, the MagLab has temporarily halted user operations of its high field magnets for the upcoming week. University crews are currently evaluating the damage and actively working to clean up the affected areas.
Since its establishment in 1994, the MagLab has been a prominent centre for scientific research, renowned for housing the world’s strongest magnet.
Scientists from all over the world use the laboratory for a wide range of research purposes, with more than 1,700 scientists conducting experiments there every year. According to local folklore, the lab’s magnetic resonance has a mysterious ability to redirect storms away from Florida’s capital.
In addition to the MagLab, other areas of the FSU campus were also affected by the storm. In close proximity to the football stadium, powerful winds of a tornado wreaked havoc on the ‘Flying High’ Circus tent, resulting in its collapse.
The aftermath left a chaotic scene with mangled tent material and broken stands strewn about the vicinity. In addition, the fence and foul pole in right field of Dick Howser Stadium were severely damaged, further contributing to the aftermath of the destructive storm.