Flooded out

It was a “perfect storm” of events that flooded Washington Middle School around 3 p.m. Thursday.

Heavy rains all day interspersed with torrential downpours overwhelmed a clogged storm drain on the west side of the middle school.

Dirt work was underway above the middle school on the west side, as well. Superintendent Chris Reynolds is certain that contributed to the subsequent flood.

The torrent flowed down stairs on the school’s west side and entered the building.

Reynolds estimated 3 to 4 inches of water filled the main hall before flooding adjacent classrooms.

The water damage, Reynolds added, was “pretty much building wide.”

A restoration company was onsite Friday, removing flooring and the lower 2 feet of sheetrock throughout the school.

That company will complete its work this weekend, but Reynolds said it will likely be two to three weeks before students and teachers can return to the building.

School officials were going to try to make a decision Friday evening whether middle school students would have school on Tuesday when the campus reopens after the holiday weekend.

The superintendent added parents will be notified of the decision Saturday morning.

Reynolds said it is possible students will have an extra day tacked onto the long weekend.

The middle school went virtual on Friday.

Officials are now looking for temporary classroom space.

“Everybody is willing to help,” Reynolds said.