UPDATE 5:05 P.M.
A neighborhood has been put to the test following flooding Thursday that damaged Godby's High School campus.
WATCH MAYA'S REPORT FROM INSIDE THE SCHOOL BELOW:
"To see a pond where a teacher would usually park, that's a bit daunting," said Principal Desmond Cole. He told me the community stepped up to the challenge.
"We get to work, and we don't ask any questions," Cold added.
He said impacts to the school included over 70 percent of water damage to their campus and damage to some equipment. The hands-on work from many people including Leon County Schools, maintenance and construction crews has made this progress possible.
"What can we do to help? That's what we've gotten over the last 24 hours," shared Randi Lundgren, director of theatre arts at Godby. "The difference between yesterday when we got here at 8 a.m., and now, is worlds, worlds of difference."
Thankfully, damage hasn't impacted preparations for their upcoming musical.
The recovery effort included Leon County Schools distribution of breakfast and lunch to Godby families on Friday. Superintendent of Leon County Schools, Rocky Hanna, said work at Godby will continue over the weekend. "Ninety-five percent of the water has already been extracted. We have four cleaning crews in at 6 a.m. Saturday morning."
He's estimating damage repairs will cost about a quarter of a million dollars in total, exceeding their insurance deductible of $100,000. Hanna said they are also meeting with the Tallahassee City Manager and their storm water management team at Godby next week, "to look at exactly what occurred, what happened."
As soon as it's safe inside the building, Principal Cole told me, "next week's plans are going to be business as usual."
Randi says it's a testament to the resiliency of this community.
"The show must go on."
A decision will be made Saturday afternoon about whether or not Godby will be open on Monday. Superintendent Hanna says crews will be working on site all weekend to get the facility ready as quickly and safely as possible.
Students from Godby will be performing their upcoming musical 'Shrek' on April 19, 20, and 21.
ORIGINAL STORY:
Northwest Tallahassee neighborhood reporter, Maya Sargent, is in Amos P. Godby High School. Watch her video update above. Clean-up crews are working to restore classrooms and infrastructure following Thursday morning's flash flooding.
WATCH MAYA'S THURSDAY REPORT ON THE FLOODING BELOW:
Leon County Schools posted the following on Facebook Friday:
Due to the closure of Amos P. Godby High School there will be meal distribution service for the students of Godby from 11am—12 pm at 5 locations Friday:
- Amos P Godby High School (Tharpe Street entrance)
- Griffin Heights Apartments (1010 Basin Street Apts. (entrance)
- Springfield Apartments (1700 Joe Louis Street)
- Lawrence – Gregory Community Center (1115 Dade Street)
- Ft. Braden K-8 School Bus Ramp
LCS also said, "We appreciate all of our district employees and community partners for their dedication and support of our schools and the students we care about and serve. We will continue to update the community on the restoration progress at Godby via our school and district communication channels."
The school district posted photos of the damage Thursday after the storm.
Superintendent Rocky Hanna shared a video update Thursday evening following the flooding. Watch it below:
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
