Severe storm damage prompts Gordon ISD to cancel class for the week
A rural North Texas school district canceled classes for the week after a night of severe storms.
Gordon ISD, located in Palo Pinto County, had extensive damage to school property and asked staff and students to stay off campus while emergency crews and insurance adjusters investigate.
Gordon ISD Superintendent Holly Campbell said some of the classrooms were completely flooded.
Initially, classes were canceled for just Monday, but once the sun came up, classes were canceled for the rest of the week due to the extent of the storm damage.
"I don't think our school is a total loss but I do think we have some adjustments to make and some significant repairs to make," Campbell said. "We've got classrooms that are completely flooded right now."
There was also no power in the City of Gordon as several light poles and power lines were down.
A CBS News Texas crew in Gordon Monday morning reported a building that appeared to belong to the school was missing its roof and its walls were ripped off. Bleachers at the school's baseball field were also mangled.
According to Gordon ISD, no life-threatening injuries were reported.
"We can't thank you enough for the outpouring of love," a post on Gordon ISD's Facebook page read.
"While we are devastated, we are Gordon strong," the post continued. "We will get through this. Sending our prayers and love to each and every one in our community!"
Gordon resident Paula Campbell said that after the wind stopped, torrential rain and large hail continued.
"I'm still scared, but yes, I'm thinking how lucky [I am] Campbell said. "I can't believe we survived."
Gordon ISD has one school campus, located in the central part of town. Gordon is about 67 miles west of Fort Worth.
Severe storms, tornadoes rip across North Texas on May 18
Multiple funnel clouds were spotted by CBS News Texas Storm Chaser Jason McLaughlin in Palo Pinto County Sunday evening. A tornado was confirmed over Strawn, about 8 miles west of Gordon.
An EF-1 tornado was also confirmed in and near Gordon, according to the National Weather Service. Peak winds reached 105 mph.
