Latest news with #WesternportElementarySchool
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Students of flooded Maryland elementary school will finish semester at Frostburg State
Video shows flooding in Westernport, Md. on May 13, 2025. WESTERNPORT, Md. (WBOY) — Students at Westernport Elementary School, where around 150 people were rescued during flooding last week, will finish the rest of the school year on Frostburg State University's campus. The bottom floor of the school flooded during storms on May 13, and crews from Preston County, West Virginia responded to help with the rescue. Although other schools that were impacted by flooding were able to return to class several days later, Westernport Elementary was not among them. However, on Thursday, Allegany County Public Schools announced that the students are expected to return to in-person class on May 28 at Frostburg State University, which is about 17 miles (24 minutes driving) away. Students will be transported for class at Frostburg until the end of the school year on June 6. Randolph County superintendent says new policy that conflicts with WV Code is 'inaccurate' 'The Westernport Elementary School staff and administration has worked extensively to create a plan to help their students finish the 2024-2025 school year together, and on a good note,' the school district said on social media. The post said that while at Frostburg, Westernport students will have fun activities, field trips and breakfast and lunch provided. Counselors will also be available to help students and families with the change and transportation will be provided, the post said. 'Allegany County Public Schools would like to thank all staff and community members who helped in getting our kids safely back in the classroom.' Parents can expect more details in the coming days. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
150 students evacuated from Westport, Md., school amid flooding
About 150 students and 50 adults were evacuated from an elementary school in Maryland after hours of heavy rains driven by an atmospheric river caused major flooding in multiple eastern states. Rescue boats were deployed to evacuate the students from Westernport Elementary School in Westernport, about 160 miles west of Baltimore, after the North Branch Potomac River and some tributaries burst their banks on May 13, according to multiple reports. The floodwaters rose so quickly that children and teachers were trapped inside as parents raced to the school to get their children. Alley Wade, the mother of two boys in the school, told KDKA-TV when she arrived, the water was too high for her to help. She said she had to wait on dry land for rescue boats to save her kids and the other people. Mid-Atlantic flooding news: Boy, 12, swept away as floodwaters rage; schoolkids rescued by boat "I didn't get any call from the school. I didn't know any plan. I didn't know anything. So, my instinct was get my kids," Wade said. "The first responders and the faculty of that school were phenomenal because I'm sure they were just as scared." William Wade, a fourth-grade student at Westernport Elementary School, told KDKA "the first floor had been flooded all the way to the ceiling." Allegany County Department of Emergency Services, in an update around 4:40 p.m. May 13, said all students and staff members of Westernport Elementary had been safely evacuated to a church in Westernport, with students awaiting parent pickup. The post added rescue operations were also being carried out at Georges Creek Elementary, about 10 miles from Westernport, while Westmar Middle students were sheltering in place. Authorities announced all Allegany County Public Schools would remain closed May 14 and no virtual learning will take place. Allegany County Department of Emergency Services spokesperson Kati Kenney confirmed May 14 all students and staff members were safely evacuated and there were "no injuries or missing people." Floodwaters are still working down some larger streams and rivers Wednesday, the National Weather Service in Baltimore said in a post on X. "Be prepared for road closures, and turn around if you encounter high water," the post said. Allegany County Department of Emergency Services, in an update May 14, advised residents to stay off the roads in Georges Creek, warning "waters are still high, and conditions remain hazardous." "For your safety − and the safety of our emergency services − we're asking everyone who can, to please stay in place and off the roads," the department said. What is an atmospheric river? Heavy rain fueled by atmospheric river threatens more Mid-Atlantic flooding Contributing: John Bacon, USA TODAY Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@ and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 150 students evacuated from Westport, Md., school amid flooding
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Governor Moore declares State of Emergency in Western Maryland due to historic flooding
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (DC News Now) — Maryland Governor Wes Moore declared a State of Emergency in Western Maryland Thursday in response to historic flooding. Moore travelled to assess the damage sustained from Tuesday's storm, where over five inches of rain resulted in major floods in Allegany and Garrett Counties. First responders brace for rising floodwaters along Potomac, Shenandoah rivers According to the governor's office, this marks the second-highest Georges Creek crest, causing , power and gas line outages, and road closures. Throughout his visit, Moore stopped by Westernport fire hall, library, local businesses, and Westernport Elementary School, where he assured residents that the State of Maryland will continue working towards the community's full recovery. Swiftwater rescue teams evacuated over 200 students and faculty from Westernport and George's Creek elementary schools Tuesday afternoon. On Wednesday, first responders conducted welfare checks, and as of Thursday, crews have shifted their priorities from response to recovery efforts. No additional flooding is expected. 'After surveying the damage and receiving updates on the work still ahead in Western Maryland, I've declared a State of Emergency to accelerate our response,' said Moore. 'Today, our thoughts are with the Marylanders who have been directly impacted by this storm, and our gratitude is with all of the first responders, crisis managers, and public servants who raised their hands to support our people in a moment of need.' Congresswoman April McClain Delaney joined Moore in touring the affected areas and commented on the damage she witnessed. 'Being here in Western Maryland today with Governor Moore and seeing the aftermath of the flooding firsthand is overwhelming,' said Delaney. 'You don't fully grasp the scale of it until you're standing here, witnessing it for yourself. We've met families who had to evacuate their homes, and small business owners now facing tough choices. The damage is real, but so is the strength of the people here. We're listening, and we're committed to doing everything in our power to make sure help gets where it's needed.' Public officials also shared their perspective on the community's response to the flooding. 'This was a serious test for public safety and health, and we responded with urgency,' said Maryland Department of the Environment Secretary Serena McIlwain. 'Drinking water systems were damaged, homes were flooded, and families were impacted. We acted quickly to confirm that our dams were operating correctly, offer emergency help for contaminated home heating oil tanks, and support safe debris removal. Our focus now is on long-term recovery, guiding infrastructure repairs, fast-tracking permits, and staying close to communities as they rebuild.' For live updates on Maryland traffic conditions, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Authorities make tragic announcement following 12-year-old boy's disappearance amid severe weather: 'This is a heartbreaking outcome'
A string of powerful storms brought sudden and dangerous flash flooding to the Eastern U.S. this week, sweeping through towns in Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. Among the hardest-hit areas was Albemarle County, Virginia, where a 12-year-old boy went missing after being caught in fast-moving floodwaters. Authorities have not yet confirmed the identity officially, but said the body matches the description of the 12-year-old boy who was swept away while walking near a creek. His family has been notified, and identification is pending from the Medical Examiner's Office, according to People. Rescue teams searched overnight and located a body early the next morning. That same day, around 200 people, including 150 children and 50 staff, were rescued by boat from Westernport Elementary School in Maryland as floodwaters breached their building. "This is a heartbreaking outcome, and our hearts are with the Sims family and loved ones," said the Albemarle County Fire Rescue Chief Dan Eggleston in a statement. Communities across western Maryland and southwestern Pennsylvania also reported a surge in emergency calls, with evacuations and road closures throughout the region. As reported by CBS News, some neighborhoods experienced several inches of rainfall in a matter of hours, overwhelming infrastructure and leaving behind serious damage. While spring rainstorms are common, research shows that human-caused warming is increasing the intensity and frequency of extreme weather. Also in the CBS report is the climate science group World Weather Attribution analysis from this week, where researchers found that record-breaking storms earlier this spring, which killed at least 24 people across the Midwest and South, were made significantly more dangerous by rising temperatures. According to the analysis, global heating made those downpours about 9% heavier than they would have been otherwise. Heavier rainfall raises the risk of flash flooding, especially in areas with paved surfaces, aging drainage systems, or development near waterways. Increasing global temperatures are creating the conditions for more intense storms, acting like "steroids" for extreme weather. Some towns are updating their flood defenses with green roofs and permeable pavement — like Chicago, which now captures over 85 million gallons of stormwater annually, per the NOAA Office for Coastal Management. Philadelphia has expanded the use of permeable paving through its Green Stormwater Infrastructure program, while Atlanta is restoring wetlands to reduce flooding in areas like Proctor Creek. Others, including Havre de Grace, Maryland, are using FEMA's Risk MAP program to limit building in high-risk zones. Several organizations are helping communities adapt. Rebuild by Design is working with cities to redesign neighborhoods to better handle water. The National League of Cities has created toolkits to help local governments prepare for and respond to weather-related risks. Tools like flood modeling, early-warning systems, and battery-powered energy systems are also helping people protect their homes. What would you do if natural disasters were threatening your home? Move somewhere else Reinforce my home Nothing This is happening already Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Many households are preparing for future flooding by installing solar panels with battery backups. These systems can keep power on during outages and reduce monthly energy costs to near zero. EnergySage offers a free service to compare vetted solar installers and potentially save up to $10,000. More broadly, efforts to curb the planet's overheating — by transitioning to cleaner energy, improving home efficiency, and supporting policies that limit harmful pollution — are key to reducing the risk of extreme weather in the years ahead. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Flash flooding forces evacuation of elementary school, fire station in western Maryland
ALLEGANY COUNTY, Md. (WDCW) — Flooding in rural western Maryland forced the evacuation of an elementary school Tuesday afternoon as water began to breach the second floor, according to local officials. Homes and businesses in downtown Westernport were also inundated with floodwaters after hours of heavy rain. The heavy rain left the Westernport fire station damaged and drenched in pools of water. Officials reassured the public that students and staff were safe as concerned parents and other community members posted on social media wondering how long the emergency situation would last at Westernport Elementary School. Allegany County spokesperson Kati Kenney said responders used rescue boats to safely evacuate the school. About 150 students and 50 adults were evacuated during 15 boat trips. Kenney said additional evacuations were underway in nearby areas, with reports of people trapped in cars and houses, but no injuries had been reported as of late Tuesday afternoon. She said emergency crews from surrounding counties were helping with the response in the small community near the West Virginia line. Videos shared with Nexstar's WDCW showed cars submerged in water and homes flooded. Another elementary school was also evacuated, and students at a middle school were sheltering in place, the Allegany County Department of Emergency Services said Tuesday evening. Officials said three emergency shelters had been opened across the county. Allegany County Public Schools (ACPS) said students were not able to be taken home on Tuesday and had to spend the night at Mountain Ridge High School. School officials said all students were reunited with their loved ones Wednesday morning. Aaron Stallings rushed to Westernport Elementary to pick up his little sister earlier Tuesday afternoon, but he soon realized his car wouldn't make it. Stallings said he hopped a fence and made his way on foot through the shin-deep water. 'I knew my car was not going to get through, so I had to find an alternate route,' he said. Governor Moore urges Marylanders to stay vigilant as rain causes severe flooding Stallings said children were being kept on the second and third floors when he made his way inside. Minutes after he located his sister with the help of the principal, the water level on the first floor had already risen again to his knees and was rushing under the school doors. Once he waded back outside with his sister, Stallings turned around to capture video of the scene, where parked cars and a dumpster were floating through the school's parking lot. Alley Wade also left work early when she heard about flooding downtown. She and her husband hoped to pick up their two sons, ages 8 and 10, but they couldn't get to the school because roads were already closed. Instead, they spent most of the afternoon standing around in the rain, anxiously watching the floodwaters rise. 'It was stressful because I felt so helpless,' Wade said. The family was finally reunited after the students had been evacuated. Wade said there were a lot of crying kids, but thankfully, everyone was safe. Roads throughout the area were closed due to flooding, including major arteries, according to the Allegany County Sheriff's Office. Westernport Mayor Judy Hamilton said the town has been prone to severe flooding in the past, but they weren't expecting it today. 'It just seemed to happen all at once,' she said. 'My heart is breaking.' She said the evacuated students were taken to higher ground and sheltered in a church building, where they would be kept safe by teachers and staff until their parents could pick them up. 12-year-old boy swept away in Albemarle floodwaters believed to have been found dead With a population under 2,000 people, Westernport is located in the far corner of western Maryland. Its downtown took shape in a valley where Georges Creek flows into the North Branch Potomac River. The National Weather Service reported widespread flash flooding in the area Tuesday afternoon. 'We are closely monitoring the flood conditions that are present across Western Maryland due to heavy rainfall, especially in Allegany County,' Gov. Wes Moore said in a social media post, adding that the state and local authorities were actively responding to the inundation. Hamilton said the last time Westernport suffered from devastating floods was in 1996. 'But we're strong and we always build back,' she said. In West Virginia, Gov. Patrick Morrisey declared a state of emergency Tuesday night in Mineral County, along the Maryland border, due to severe storms and heavy rains that resulted in flash flooding. The declaration allows the state to mobilize personnel and resources to the area. The Allegany County Sheriff's Office will be actively monitoring all evacuated areas throughout the night. Our deputies are committed to protecting unoccupied residences and ensuring the safety and security of our communities during this critical time.'The Associated Press contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
