Flood waters have impacted Frankfort, Ky., for more than a week, and while the city grapples with closed roads and damaged buildings, the Frankfort High School football team is dealing with its own challenges from the extreme weather.
According to Lex18 News, flooding left the team weight room inaccessible earlier this week. When school officials did finally gain access to the building, coach Steven Davis said he was “stunned by the extent of the flooding.”
“I just couldn’t believe how high it got,” said Davis.
When it was safe to do so, the team rallied together and removed weight plates and barbells from the weight room. They also stripped the damaged turf from the area. Photos by Lex18 News show giant fans blowing in the weight room to dry up the water, along with several shop vacs.
However, the work in the weight room was just the tip of the iceberg for Frankfort High School’s football team. Flood waters also partially submerged the football field. According to ABC36, the football field was inaccessible, and several feet of standing water blocked the entrance last week.
Drone footage shows water on only one end of the field, but it has risen around concession stands, bleachers and neighboring houses.
Coach Davis told ABC36 that he attempted to use multiple different entrances to the football field before discovering that none of them were safe options. “My first reaction was amazement and shock at the height of the water,” said Davis.
For Davis, and the entire Frankfort School District, being there for the students is the top priority. The school district reported at least 30 families who have yet to return home since the flood waters began receding, and Davis took the set back as an opportunity to teach his players a valuable life lesson.
“It’s going to be all hands on deck,” said Davis. “See a need, fill a need.”
