Alvin ISD to relocate students and staff from storm-damaged Walt Disney Elementary School
ALVIN, Texas (KTRK) -- After a tornado caused significant damage to their school, some Alvin ISD teachers and students learned they won't be returning to their campus when classes resume.
The tornado that hit Walt Disney Elementary School was one of many structures damaged by tornadoes this past weekend across southeast Texas. One person was killed in Alvin, and officials say at least four others were hurt.
While a tornado caused damage at the school, no one was hurt.
In an emergency board meeting on Monday morning, officials approved emergency spending for repairs to Walt Disney Elementary. In addition, funds will be needed to prepare an alternate location for students.
"We're in the process of working with transportation and families that we will bus them to another site," superintendent Carol Nelson explained. "An open school that we are currently using for training and things of that nature. We have to set it up as a whole new elementary school. That's what we're working on now."
The plan is to move students and staff to the former Alvin Elementary School at 1910 Rosharon Road. The facility has been closed as a school since 2023. Since then it's been used for storage and other district needs.
New bus routes will need to be scheduled. The temporary school is a 10-minute drive from the damaged campus.
SkyEye flew over the storm-ravaged areas and captured video of severe damage.
A tornado in Montgomery County had peak winds of 145 miles per hour, while a tornado in Brazoria County was on the ground for eight miles and had winds between 115 and 135 miles per hour.
Administrators surveyed the damage at Walt Disney Elementary School on Sunday. The future of the campus is still up in the air as damage assessments continue. There's been no dollar estimate yet or determination for repairs.
Nelson said if you're interested in donating to help teachers, you can contact adminservices@alvinisd.net.
One place helping is Corey's Kitchen in Alvin. The owner's nieces and nephews attend the school.
On Tuesday, the community can drop off supplies from 2 p.m. until 8 p.m. On Monday, customers discovered the Walt Disney Elementary special.
"$2 from each sale went to help the impacted teachers. This is our community," owner Corey Scopel said. "We're a small town, and it's very important that we come together and help one another out."
RELATED: Damage assessment begins in Brazoria County after deadly tornado passed through, officials said
The National Weather Service said the tornado that struck the school on Saturday was an EF-2.
SEE ALSO: 5 confirmed tornadoes that hit Waller, Montgomery, Brazoria, Galveston and Chambers Co., NWS says
The district said many teachers lost valuable materials, some of which they paid for out-of-pocket. To help combat the losses, the Alvin ISD Education Foundation is taking donations online.
Alvin ISD said the school is in urgent need of general school and teacher supplies, as well as picture books.
If you would like to donate in person, staff will collect donations now through Thursday at the former Alvin Primary School site, at 2200 Westpark Drive, Alvin, TX 77511.
Donations will be collected from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, and from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. on Thursday.
RELATED: Surviving spouse recounts horror of Alvin tornado that killed her wife, 47-year-old, Jamie Brown
