Broken Pipes Cause Extensive Water Damage at Hennessey Schools

No estimates of water damages caused by broken water pipes in both the Hennessey elementary and high schools, but "I imagine it will take us a month to get the high school back so we can use it," said Superintendent Dr. Mike Woods in a phone interview.

There are 10 or 12 collapsed ceiings in the high school from overhead pipes, "and I don't know if it's the geothermal, or not," Woods said. There is damage to furniture, fixtures and technology there, he said.

Damages in the elementary school are mainly water on the floor in 10 or 12 classrooms so it's not as bad there, he said. The pipes broke in the north wall in the elementary, then spread to the south wall.

"I'm waiting on a (commercial) clean-up crew to come in, and the first thing I did was call the insurance company." he said.

Woods sent out an email advising students will school virtually for the remainder of the week and urging everyone not involved in cleanup to stay out of the buildings.

“There are several electric cords in the water and could cause electrocution, there will be outside crews cleaning rooms and removing water, and there is a chance to slip and fall,” he wrote. 

Injury from falling debris also is possible in rooms where ceilings have collapsed, the email said.