When a tornado swept through East Windsor Monday afternoon, Sports World manager Kathy Russotto immediately thought to rush her staff and campers into an adjoining building.
Her quick action saved 29 kids and 5 staff from harm as the twister destroyed the bubble facility housing Funtime Sports Camp.
Receiving a tornado-warning alert and hearing the winds pick up Monday afternoon, Russotto said her years of teaching kicked in, leading her to whistle loudly and wrangle her campers, aged five to twelve, to safety.
As the bubble began to shake, Russotto said, she told the kids to get underneath tables in the adjoining building.
"After I put them under the tables, I heard a very loud sound, looked out, and the dome was gone," Russotto said.
No one was injured.
Monday marks the second time this year the Sports World bubbled has been damaged.
The bubble gave way to heavy snow on a Saturday morning in February.
Sports World opened in 2004.
*This article has been modified to reflect the National Weather Services confirmation of a tornado, which touched down in Windsor Locks and East Windsor Monday afternoon.
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