Austell school evacuated; Cobb middle schools sent home early

By Megan Matteucci

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Cobb County middle school students were sent home early today because of flooding.

Students at Clarkdale Elementary School in Austell were transferred to Garrett Middle School in Austell after water started spilling into the elementary school's portable classrooms.

"Water was coming in in the back where portable classrooms are," Cobb schools spokesman Jay Dillon said.

No injuries were reported.

Students in sixth, seventh and eighth grade were released at 1:15 p.m. Elementary and high school students will be dismissed at regular time.

The after-school program will be open for students, but parents are encouraged to pick up their child as soon as possible. There will be no sports or extracurricular activities today, school officials said.

The Cobb Adult Education Center has also cancelled classes.

Parents should contact their child's school if they have questions, county officials said.

Firefighters in Cobb are also evacuating residents from homes in Powder Springs because of flooding. An emergency shelter has been set up for them at the Powder Springs City Hall, county spokesman Robert J. Quigley said.