CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The London Independent School has decided to cancel classes due to damage caused by Tropical Storm Harold.
Kim Womack, communications director for London ISD, said that there are portions of campus buildings without electricity and functioning restrooms. She said that the primary concern the district is currently dealing with is water damage.
Womack said a restoration team will be present on campus to aid in cleanup efforts.
London ISD Superintendent Judi Whitis said the damage campuses received due to the storm needs to be repaired.
"It's a lot of ceiling tiles wet, insulation, water on flooring just as a result of the storm yesterday," she said.
Whitis said the district decided that it was best to release students early when they started to have septic issues and electricity began to go in and out.
"At that point, we really didn't realize the damage in regards to our celiings, floors, things like that and so it wasn't until after everyone was gone. One of my staff members came and said 'it's really a lot worse'. I then knew at that point and did a walkthrough and started contacting outside agencies cause I knew it was beyond our scope," he said.
It's estimated that about 30 classrooms throughout the district have ceiling tile damage from water. Whitis said that Tropical Storm Harold's high winds blew rain inside the campuses in a way that the district didn't anticipate.
"Mainly a factor of the winds blowing and it came in under walls through windows. So it's just a very unusual set of circumstances," he said.
Whitis said there are areas at every single campus that need to be addressed, and some still without power.
"The main priority right now is repair in classrooms and areas where students will be. That's top priority number one. It's going to take a few days tp dry everything out and get everything back where it looks normal," she said.
Whitis said in a time of chaos and uncertainty, every staff member played a vital role in helping students get sent home safely.
"All of out campuses, the teachers, the staff mobilized. No hesitancy. They were in the thick of it as far as being out in the pouring rain, putting kids in cars. It was a true test. They came together did what was right for the kids. It was just flawless in that regard," she said.