Some Ann Arbor-area schools closed after a storm swept through the region
ANN ARBOR, MI – Some schools in Washtenaw County were closed after a violent storm passed through the area overnight.
A tornado warning was issued for the Ann Arbor region and other Southeast Michigan residents about 1:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 15, along with thunderstorm advisories throughout the state.
Ann Arbor Public Schools announced today’s closures at 6:30 a.m. due to a district-wide fiber outage that affected all buildings and district offices.
According to the district’s announcement, the fiber outage affects all building access, fire notification, fire suppression, safety, phone, and video systems. Furthermore, some schools reportedly suffered structural damage from the storm, while others lost power.
“Safe passage for walkers and buses is compromised across much of the city due to downed power lines, flooding, water main breaks, gas leaks, and felled trees and debris,” AAPS said in its notice of closure.
The status of after-school events will be determined later in the day.
Milan Area Schools and Ypsilanti Community Schools have also canceled classes due to weather-related building difficulties.
Milan schools informed students that after-school events and athletics will be held at the discretion of the district’s athletic director, building administrators, coaches, and club coordinators in choices made closer to event times.
The Washtenaw Intermediate School District has announced closures due to power outages at High Point School and the WISD administration offices in the teaching and learning center.
Furthermore, because of closures in Ann Arbor, Milan, and Ypsilanti, WISD programs were closed, including Red Oak, Progress Park, Eberwhite Local, and Milan Middle School programs, as well as young adult classrooms at Carpenter, Washtenaw News, Eastern Michigan University, Washtenaw Community College, and downtown Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor.
All other major districts will stay open, which means that other WISD programs will be available, such as those at Dexter High School, the Chelsea and Dexter young adult programs, and the court-involved youth program.