Russellville, TN (WOKI / WVLT) Russellville Intermediate Elementary School in Hamblen County was damaged by severe weather Wednesday.
Superintendent Arnold Bunch Jr. tells WVLT News that all students are safe after a tornado warning was issued for the area, but no tornadoes have yet been confirmed.
According to Bunch, the school sustained damage to its roof causing a number of ceiling tiles to fall and water to infiltrate multiple classrooms.
First and most importantly, all of our students and staff are safe. We are very thankful.
We have teams on site assessing the damage at Russellville Intermediate Elementary School. We have damage to the roof and temporary patches are being installed to minimize water leakage. There are a number of ceiling tiles down and multiple classrooms have water. Teams are removing the water and cleaning up the school.
Russellville Intermediate Elementary School will not have classes tomorrow. We will continue to assess the damage to get a better assessment of when we can reopen. Simultaneously, we will review options to get our students into class either in person or virtually. As we get additional information, we will keep parents/guardians informed.
I greatly appreciate the outpouring of concern and offers of assistance from the community as well as other School Districts. – Superintendent Arnold Bunch Jr.
The school will be closed Thursday, May 9 as teams continue to clean up the building and assess the damage.