Dear Patriot families,
With several days of storms behind us, and several more still ahead, we are reaching out to share important information regarding the recent weather impacts on our schools.
While the worst of the weather has thankfully stayed away from our area today (Friday), we still have significant threats ahead of us. According to the latest information from the National Weather Service, our area remains under considerable threat for severe weather this afternoon and into the weekend, including excessive rain, damaging wind, large hail, and potential tornadoes. Generational flooding is expected through Sunday.
However, the primary reason for closing schools today (Friday) was not the wind or rain, but the current severe strain on our local drainage and sewer systems. With the ground already saturated from this week’s heavy rainfall, our sewer infrastructure is at full capacity. Even minimal bathroom use would likely trigger major sewer failure, creating unsanitary and unsafe conditions in our schools. Even with no additional rain, given this risk, we determined that we could not guarantee a safe learning environment for students. These issues may persist for several days, regardless of whether more storms develop.
In the coming days, we will continue to monitor local conditions. We deeply appreciate the support of the City of Marion, the City of West Memphis, and Crittenden County in managing this dangerous situation. We are also thankful for the tireless efforts of work crews who are operating around the clock to pump water from flooded areas and maintain our drainage systems.
Please know that we are not out of the woods yet. We urge our families to continue to watch local weather forecasts, remain alert for flash flooding in your neighborhoods, and follow these flood safety tips from the National Weather Service.
We are excited to see our students back in school soon. In the meantime, we wish each of you safety, calm, and comfort in the days ahead.