HAMLIN, W.Va. (AP) — Students spent the night at their West Virginia high school after floodwaters prevented buses from bringing them home, authorities said.
Lincoln County school officials notified parents about the unusual step Thursday night.
“At this point, students are resting and tucked in for the night,” the school district said in a notice posted on its Facebook page and county school district website shortly before midnight.
Initially, schools in Lincoln County were dismissed two hours early on Thursday because of high water. But many roads became impassable, forcing the high schoolers to remain in their building.
Students were given cots, blankets and pillows, and other supplies were being gathered through community members, stores and churches, the statement said. School and central office staff provided supervision. The district did allow parents who could drive to the school on their own to pick up their child. School officials said they would feed the students breakfast Friday and then bring them home.
Classes were called off in Lincoln County and at least eight other counties Friday after storms dumped nearly 3 inches (8 centimeters) of rain in some places. In Kanawha County, the state’s largest, school bus routes were changed or closed because of flooded roads Friday.
Flood warnings continued Friday in several counties in southern and central West Virginia. Gov. Jim Justice declared a state of emergency as the storms rolled through Thursday.
