Officials in one Illinois school district are concerned that flooding from recent rainfall will impact the start of classes next month.
The Chicago Tribune reports that bookshelves in W.J. Murphy Elementary School's library are completely covered by water. The gym, a music room and computer room also are flooded at the school in Lake County's Round Lake, northwest of Chicago and south of Wisconsin's state line.
District operations executive director Shelia Duhon says computers were under water and the school's computer server room in the basement was flooded. Water also stood in four fourth-grade classrooms.
Classes are to start in late August.
The district said Murphy and Ellis Elementary schools were hit hardest by the floods, wiht both schools "inaccessible" as of Thursday.
Video posted by the school district Friday showed classrooms inside Murphy Elementary with high waters and bookshelves inside the school's library nearly completely under water.
Heavy rainfall hit the Midwest on Wednesday. Illinois officials said Friday that some 6,800 buildings had been affected by "unprecedented" flooding north of Chicago.
Both schools are accepting donations amid the historic floods.
Here's how you can help:
Local
Donation of Clothing
The Red Cross is accepting donations of clothing and non-perishable food items at JTMMS. Any clothing that is not used at the conclusion of this center will be donated to Good Will or Salvation Army.
Donation of Books
Donations of books are being accepted at the Round Lake Area Library (906 Hart Rd, RL) during business hours and the Administrative Service Center (884 W Nippersink Rd, RL) weekdays 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Donation of Money
The Round Lake Area Schools Education Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization and will accept monetary donations on behalf of the District. Funds donated will be applied directly to flood recovery efforts within the District. Donations can be made online at http://www.rlasfoundation.com/donate.html or can be mailed to PO Box 1881 Round Lake, IL 60073.
