Destructive EF-1 and EF-2 tornadoes tore through Chicago’s southwest suburbs on Tuesday, damaging homes and businesses, and uprooting trees. Along with the residential destruction, several schools in the area sustained severe damage, including the gymnasium at Marian Catholic High School.
According to photos and videos shared by WGN News, pieces of the roof were torn off in the wind, several trees around the building were destroyed, and as a result, the gymnasium flooded. Several inches of water submerged the gym floor and a video shows rain falling into the gym. The school remains without power in the wake of the storm.
“It is literally raining in the gym. The floor was underwater. The gym is a major part of school operations,” said Michael Reardon, Marian Catholic High School president. “Our P.E. classes, our athletic events. We have meetings and assemblies. It is out of commission now and probably will be for some time.”
The school was closed to assess the extent of the damages and all athletics were postponed. Construction crews have been on site, attempting to dry out the gymnasium quickly so that the wood floor may be saved.
Photos and videos showed plastic tarps erected throughout the gym as workers use headlamps to assess the situation. The lack of utilities, Reardon explained, are one of the biggest obstacles for the crew currently.
“It was the most severe wind storm I’ve ever seen,” Reardon told ABC 7 Chicago.
