Schools spring leaks in rain

¿ Lynnwood High School, 10 other buildings hit by storm

By Sarah Koenig

Enterprise reporter

The drenching rain of Monday, Dec. 3, brought leaks and puddles to area schools, as well as bus delays.

“We’ve got a pump going in the area by the gymnasium, and one of the doors to the gym has been sandbagged,” said David Golden, principal at Lynnwood High School, Monday afternoon. “We’re afraid the gym will flood as it did a few years ago.”

Luckily, it didn’t, but the detention pond by the llama farm bordering the school overflowed, sending a stream flowing along the edge of campus.

The school wasn’t alone in being affected by the weather.

“We had about 11 buildings that experienced some level of interruption during the day because of water issues,” said Debbie Jakala, community relations manager for the Edmonds School District.

Some buildings had leaks and others experienced overflowing downspouts and puddles. Outside, banks overflowed near some schools.

Still, there was no major flooding and no evacuation, thanks in part to the planning of maintenance staff, who cleared drains and monitored detention ponds, Jakala said.

All after-school activities were cancelled Monday afternoon. That was to help people stay off roads, Jakala said.

Many roads were closed due to flooding, which also caused bus delays in the morning and afternoon.

At Edmonds Community college, some buildings leaked.

“A number of leaky buildings and reports of soggy carpets across campus kept our facilities department hopping yesterday,” said Michele Graves, public information officer, the day after the storm.

The most significant leak happened in the Beresford Building, where health care and computer electronics classes are held. On Tuesday, the school was still repairing the leak, she said.