Flood gates held back the waters at Oxford Middle School
OXFORD – Due to the good foresight and the efforts of various members of the community, the Oxford Middle School weathered the flooding caused by Tropical Storm Lee with relatively little damage.
According to Mark Hodge, superintendent of buildings and grounds, after what was essentially a 12-hour ordeal managing the flood waters, the school was relatively unscathed. He attributed this primarily to the flood gates purchased following the 2006 flood that caused more than $1 million in damage.
“The gates did their job,” he said. “We had some seepage around the edges, but we were able to use Wet-Vacs to mitigate any damage.”
The flood-gates cost more than $300,000; however, Hodge said, “They have paid for themselves.”
According to Secretary to the Superintendent Michele D. Rice, the damage to the interior of the middle school was minimal; only tile damage in a few of the extracurricular rooms. She explained that more extensive damage was done to the surrounding sports fields, but exact estimates could not be made until the water completely recedes.
The damage seemed especially slight, said Rice, when compared to that done in 2006. During that storm, more than eight feet of water accumulated in the boiler room and more than two feet on the first level. Equipment, supplies and instruments were damaged, said Rice.
Hodge explained that this storm was very similar to the storm in 2006 with the water level being only one inch lower this time. At the highest point, the waters came within three inches of the top of the flood-gate, prompting Hodge to create extensions. Thankfully, said Hodge, they were not necessary.
Both Rice and Hodge also commended the many people who volunteered to help remove water and raise equipment out of harms way over the two days the floods threatened the school. According to Rice, more than 30 people turned out to aid in the efforts, including board members, custodial staff, students and other members of the community.
“It really helped to have so much support,” she said.
According to Rice, repairs to the school will be minimal and will begin soon.
According to Mark Hodge, superintendent of buildings and grounds, after what was essentially a 12-hour ordeal managing the flood waters, the school was relatively unscathed. He attributed this primarily to the flood gates purchased following the 2006 flood that caused more than $1 million in damage.
“The gates did their job,” he said. “We had some seepage around the edges, but we were able to use Wet-Vacs to mitigate any damage.”
The flood-gates cost more than $300,000; however, Hodge said, “They have paid for themselves.”
According to Secretary to the Superintendent Michele D. Rice, the damage to the interior of the middle school was minimal; only tile damage in a few of the extracurricular rooms. She explained that more extensive damage was done to the surrounding sports fields, but exact estimates could not be made until the water completely recedes.
The damage seemed especially slight, said Rice, when compared to that done in 2006. During that storm, more than eight feet of water accumulated in the boiler room and more than two feet on the first level. Equipment, supplies and instruments were damaged, said Rice.
Hodge explained that this storm was very similar to the storm in 2006 with the water level being only one inch lower this time. At the highest point, the waters came within three inches of the top of the flood-gate, prompting Hodge to create extensions. Thankfully, said Hodge, they were not necessary.
Both Rice and Hodge also commended the many people who volunteered to help remove water and raise equipment out of harms way over the two days the floods threatened the school. According to Rice, more than 30 people turned out to aid in the efforts, including board members, custodial staff, students and other members of the community.
“It really helped to have so much support,” she said.
According to Rice, repairs to the school will be minimal and will begin soon.
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