Students and staff members remained at four Spalding County middle schools late Thursday night after storms made roads in the area impassable, the district said.
By early Friday, everyone had been safely reunited with their families, the Griffin-Spalding County school system said.
Storms rolled through metro Atlanta just as schools were dismissing and buses began rolling. The weather forced many districts to cancel afternoon activities.
All elementary and high school students and some middle school students in the Griffin area were able to go home before the storms arrived, Griffin-Spalding County School System spokesman Adam Pugh told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. But when a tornado warning was issued at 4:15 p.m., more than 400 students still remained at four middle schools.
“We are thankful that the transportation staff acted promptly when a tornado warning was issued,” Pugh said. “They followed protocol, responded to dispatch and remained at schools and/or returned to the nearest schools allowing students and drivers to shelter safely in our four middle schools: Carver Road Middle, Kennedy Road Middle, Cowan Road Middle and Rehoboth Road Middle School.”
Late Thursday, the school system was working with the county emergency management agency to determine when roads would be cleared for travel.
@GriffinSpalding transportation department is working closely with our area emergency management agency (EMA) to determine what roads are passable and when it is safe for the students and staff that remain safely inside our middle schools to be transported home.
— Griffin-Spalding K12 (@GriffinSpalding) January 12, 2023
“GSCS transportation department is working closely with our area emergency management agency to determine what roads are passable and when it is safe for the students and staff that remain safely inside our four middle schools to be transported home,” the district posted on social media shortly before 7 p.m. “There are many trees down in our area and roads will take some time to clear. We will continue to work with EMA and provide hourly updates.”
It was a long night and a group effort. School officials worked to make sure students had food and drinks during the long wait. Cots, blankets and personal care kits were also provided.
“Great job to the officials that are still working, just picked up my kiddos,” one parent posted late Thursday. “I thank you very much for going out of your way for my and others’ children!”
As of about 11 p.m., all students and staff had made it home from Carver Road middle and Rehoboth Road middle, but four students remained at Kennedy Road middle, the district said. District Safety Director Britt and Truancy Officer Sutton worked to get everyone home.
Law enforcement officials helped get some of the 20 students at Cowan Road middle back home. Those who could not get in contact with their families or lived in areas law enforcement could not access due to debris blocking roads were brought to the Griffin-Spalding County School System office to shelter until they were reunited with family.
Pugh said staff were with the students at all times and spirits remained high.
“Thank you to all parents, students, staff and first responders,” Pugh said. “Also, special thanks to all the emergency workers and to school principals McGavin and Steele who have been working with chainsaws to clear roads and driveways.”
The American Red Cross, a spokesman said, “is working with EMA officials, local and state partners to understand exactly what is happening and to make sure we’re responding appropriately.”
Griffin-Spalding County schools were closed Friday.
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