Storm damages Russellville Intermediate School

RUSSELLVILLE, Tenn. ( WATE ) — All students were reported safe after storms caused damage to Russellville Intermediate School.

Hamblen County EMA shared that there was damage to the intermediate school’s roof and exteriors in the third-grade section. The National Weather Service said the damage was caused by 80 to 90 mph “downburst” or thunderstorm winds.

According to Russellville Elementary School, the intermediate building will be closed on Thursday, May 9 as the wind and water damage is assessed. Intermediate building students will not have school that day, but Intermediate staff will report to the primary building. The school will be making a plan for the remainder of the year.

“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,” shared Hamblen County Superintendent Arnold Bunch.

The elementary school posted on Facebook Wednesday morning, around 11:30 a.m., saying all students were safe in both buildings. At 12:09 p.m., the school shared that there had been water damage at the school’s Intermediate building.

Intermediate students were bussed to the Russellville Primary building. Russellville Elementary School said all parents would need to pick up their students at the primary building.

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