It was a “perfect storm” of events that flooded Washington Middle School last week 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 school houses grades six through eight.

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.”

Certified Commercial Restoration was on site Friday, removing all carpet and taking out   the lower 2 feet of sheetrock throughout the school.

Officials implemented virtual learning on Tuesday. That will continue through today (Thursday). Virtual learning began on Friday.

According to a notice on social media, seventh and eighth grade students and parents will be notified of temporary classroom assignments on campus before the students return to in-person learning on Friday.

Sixth graders will be moved to the nearby First Baptist Church.

Reynolds said the church has a “wonderful” basement with nine rooms.

The school will be using “at least seven” of the rooms, along with a large fellowship hall.

“They (church) are being very gracious with their space and we appreciate it,” Reynolds said.

The church is close enough for buses to pick up the sixth graders and bring them to the campus for lunch.

The superintendent is hopeful that repairs can start next week. He also expressed hope that the building will be back in service in “close to a month.”