LaFayette Middle School principal Mike Culberson said he could hear the worry in his wife's voice Tuesday when she asked him to come to Chattanooga Valley Elementary School, where she is the assistant principal.
"She said, 'It is a pretty bad leak. Could you come help us?'" Mr. Culberson said Wednesday. "She is not one to exaggerate, and I could hear it in her voice that she was concerned."
What Mr. Culberson found when he arrived at the Walker County school was more than a leak.
"It was the worst water damage I've ever seen," he said. "Water was a little less than thigh-high."
Jason Pelham, the new principal of Chattanooga Valley Elementary, said he was meeting with a parent Wednesday when an alarm sounded.
"The main pipe burst over two classrooms," he said. "It was like a waterfall. Basically, I was in shock."
Officials said Wednesday they aren't sure what caused the pipe to burst.
Mr. Pelham and others at the school scrambled to turn off the water, which took about 20 minutes.
As they worked to locate the valve to stop the flow, water inched up and eventually reached most of the school -- eight classrooms, the media center and the gym.
"It could have been worse," Mr. Pelham said. "We feel optimistic that school will start on time," although the gym will likely be closed for a month while the floor is replaced.
Walker County school leaders -- from central office employees and school administrators to teachers ands secretaries -- spent most of the day Tuesday getting the water out of the building. They used squeegees and brooms and also called in a professional crew.
Mr. Pelham said insurance should cover the cost of the damage, and he was pleased to see everyone band together to conquer the problem.
"We all worked together really well," he said. "It was really neat to see people pull together."
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