Central Lutheran unable to host students after derecho damage - Cedar Valley Daily Times
Central Lutheran School in Newhall will be forced to delay their 2020-21 school year for approximately 180 students as the August 10 derecho has left the school damaged and unsafe for kids to return. “We had six staff members inside the building when the storm hit,” Principal Frank Parris said. “When the sirens went off, they went into the safety hallway. They got a little concerned when they heard the ceiling start to move and the power went off. They heard a large crashing noise and smelled gas, so they moved to the front doors for a bit to breathe in fresh air. The crashing sound Parris referred to turned out to be the roof of the school’s small gym being torn off and flung over the campus grounds. While the larger gym was spared damage, water got into the school hallways and the playground was slightly damaged. No injuries or fatalities occured. The school is without phone service and power was recently restored to Newhall. “The small gym roof being ripped off caused damage...