Ullin, Ill. (WSIL) -- Severe storms forced a local school to cancel classes today.
Officials with Century School say they're assessing damage to the high school gymnasium roof.
A large section of the high school gymnasium roof membrane has been lifted by the strong winds. According to school officials, most of the damage was contained to the gym area.
Dr. Landon Sommer, Superintendent/Middle & High School Principal assessed some of the damage visible from inside the gym.
"I mean you can see there's still some puddles throughout right now, but, um, lost one of the tiles out of the roof creating a skylight over there for us," said Dr. Sommer.
Dr. Sommer reported other damages included a gas leak due to a pipe ripped from the wall, which has now been contained, as well as panel damage to the structures near the baseball field. Officials say this isn't the first time this roof has seen storm damage.
"Prior to me, there have been others that have told me this roof membrane has blown off before, not completely like it did this time. Portions of it have blown off in the past, but this time it's pretty much the entire thing blew off," said Dr. Sommer.
He says the insurance company has been contacted and architects will inspect the structure damages Tuesday. He says a roofing company will also be on Tuesday to install a temporary cover to protect from rain predicted to affect the area later in the week.
"It'll change a little bit of our morning routines, our lunch routines, because we do have kids in here during those times. P.E. classes are going to have to...we're going to make some other arrangements for that. We are fortunate that we do have a second gym, our newer elementary gymnasium," said Dr. Sommer.
Knowing the extent of the damage, school officials say they have confirmed no classrooms have been affected by damage and will plan on continuing with classes back in session tomorrow.
