Cleanup underway in Southland’s water-damaged auditorium
Published 11:02 am Wednesday, June 18, 2014
Tiles are missing from a section of the Southland auditorium where water gathered from Monday night’s heavy rains. — Photo provided
The Southland High School officials are waiting for a cost estimate after heavy rain waters damaged to school’s ceiling Monday evening.
No structural damage was done to the school, but there was quite a bit of cosmetic damage done to parts of the ceiling in the auditorium, according to custodian Tim Saaranen.
A primary drain on the roof was blocked by seeds and tree debris, causing the water to overflow into the vent system, leak into the ceiling and drain onto the second floor. The water caused some of the ceiling tiles to get wet enough to cave onto the floor, causing one of the smoke detectors to fall, which set off the alarm system.
Tile from the ceiling in the Southland auditorium in Adams lays scattered on the bleachers after falling in Monday night.
Saaranen said the spotlights used for performances were flooded, some carpet received water damage, and ceiling tiles fell onto a piano. The tiles were just replaced in the last year, and Saaranen said it’s unfortunate that they have to replace them again so soon.
The damaged area was in an old part of the school. The drain system has been in place since the school was built, and Saaranen said nothing like this has ever happened before.
Cleanup is underway, as ceiling tiles and insulation needs to be replaced in the first 10 feet of the room.
