Berks County School Destroyed In Storm
TILDEN Twp., Pa., (CBS) -- A big cleanup is underway across the region from our latest round of damaging storms.
In Tilden Township Berks County, an elementary school was destroyed.
"That was the Pre-K classroom."
Eyewitness News asked 12-year-old Maggie Youll to describe her school Friday afternoon. One summer assignment she wishes she could skip.
"And now it is also the Pre-K classroom and the yard," she said.
And Friday the only time teacher Linda Johnson would prefer not to be in class.
"It's devastating because it's like where do you start and even though I know God has a purpose for us, it's a little overwhelming right now," said Johnson.
Friday volunteers began cleanup in the ruins of Blue Mountain Seventh Day Adventist elementary school, the hallway littered with classrooms, the classrooms remodeled with debris, the roof stripped off like a soup can.
"You know as I look at it, I realize how lucky I am," said Principal Rachel Wardecke.
The National Weather Service says the storm hit here with a haymaker at about 6:45 p.m. Thursday.
Inside at the time -- Principal Rachel Wardecke doing some last minute work before vacation, blindsided by nature.
"I thought boy that rain is falling really hard and the next thing I knew wind was blowing through and something knocked me down," she said.
The next thing she knew, she was under this – pinned by the building's roof, somehow able to escape with just scratches.
"I actually feel that God my angel kept me protected and safe," she said.
And everyone here thankful that although the walls crumbled, this school's values -- and principal -- stand tall.
"It's really amazing and wonderful that she was okay," said Youll.
