Crews Continue To Remediate Ft. Washington Elementary, Upper Dublin High School From Ida

UPPER DUBLIN, PA — Recovery efforts continue to play out at two local school buildings severely impacted by the remnants of Hurricane Ida, which devastated this community in early September.

One of the hardest hit schools in Upper Dublin was the Fort Washington Elementary School, which continues to undergo remediation work after a tornado spawned by Hurricane Ida caused extensive damage to the structure.

While crews continue to clean up and repair portions of the building, district officials are still unsure when they will receive a certificate of occupancy for the school from the township, which itself was affected by the tornado in the form of a ripped off governmental complex roof that forced the relocation of government and police services.

The district may be able to utilize some parts of Fort Washington Elementary "sooner than others," but for now, students who attend that school continue to have classes in neighboring elementary schools in the district, according to Upper Dublin School District Superintendent Steve Yanni, who updated the community in a Nov. 22 Superintendent's Report, which was posted online.

"Obviously, we will not occupy the school until we can safely do so," Yanni stated in his report.

Yanni said when the district has any updated timelines for returning to Fort Washington Elementary, he would make the community aware as soon as possible.

The Upper Dublin High School had also suffered damage due to the tornado, and Yanni reported that the district continues to use temporary air handlers at the building to provide both air circulation and heating.

He said he would share timelines on the installation of permanent air handlers and the reopening of the high school pool as soon as dates are determined.

Yanni stated that supply chain issues and work shortages may increase the time needed to complete the various repairs and upgrades at the two schools, and he thanked district families in advance for their patience.

"While the tornado itself passed through our Township rather quickly, its after effects and the time it takes to fully recover will take some time," Yanni stated in his report.