Flooding Caused $500K Of Damage To Hoover Schools

HOOVER, AL — Hoover school buildings suffered an estimated $500,000 worth of damage from flooding earlier this month, the Hoover Sun reports.

Hoover City Schools CFO Michele McCay told the school board Tuesday that damage occurred all over Rocky Ridge Elementary School, in addition to Berry Middle School, Green Valley Elementary School, and the Riverchase Career Connection Center.

Insurance payments from the school system’s contractors and the school board will pay about two-thirds, or roughly $333,333, of the total cost, but the board’s general fund is on the hook for the rest, McCay said. However, the school system has $122 million in its reserve fund, which covers eight months of operating expenses.

The report came after a Monday night City Council meeting when dozens of Hoover residents told stories of the hardships brought upon by heavy flooding that brought more than 10 inches of rain to some parts of town Oct. 6-7, the Hoover Sun and ABC 33/40 News reported. Many residents said their home had experienced severe flooding in the past few months, and the city’s drainage system is ill-equipped to handle it. Many residents also claimed they were held responsible for cleanup the city should have handled.
“I don’t know how to fix it. I need you guys to figure it out for us” resident Lori Abbott said.
Hoover City Council President John Lyda said the city is exploring public-private partnerships to manage flooding. On Oct. 12, the Council authorized $1 million worth of emergency repairs, and approved another set of repairs Monday night estimated to cost about $287,000, according to The Sun.