A massive storm system that pounded the state with heavy rain and wind Tuesday caused “significant leaks and water intrusion” into some Alamance County school buildings, officials said. Schools will open on a two-hour delay as crews assess damage. 

“We have invested millions of dollars in the last few months to clean up and remediate mold that has been present in our buildings for years. We cannot afford to take steps backwards. Adequate funding for roofs, water intrusion, and HVAC must be considered by the County to prevent this from happening again. This aftermath from this storm is just one example that shows the need for increased support,” officials said in a statement they released on the damage.

Graham High School is suffering some of the worst leaks in the district, and it also has “major damage” in one of the new classrooms.

“Our crews have removed water-damaged sheetrock to prevent mold and to better assess the damage at Graham High. This has resulted in a large hole in the ceiling in these areas. Additionally, we have bins there to collect water,” officials said.

A school in Haw River is set to get a new roof in February, and Eastern High School also has issues with leaking throughout its building, the district said. There are also several buildings that have smaller leaks, such as South Mebane, B. Everett Jordan, Western Middle and Western High.

Maintenance crews will fan out Wednesday morning and assess the buildings’ conditions. 

"Safety is our top priority as we work to address storm impacts. Staff should use caution if coming in before the delay and communicate with their principal or supervisors if delayed," Les Atkins, public information officer for the district said in a statement. 

The start of school for the Alamance-Burlington School System was delayed last fall as the district grappled with cleaning up toxic mold at some its campuses.

Officials said in September that mold was discovered inside more than 30 schools, with 16 of those containing toxic mold. ABSS then said that all schools in its system were cleared and passed remediation verification testing.

Tuesday’s large storm system hit the state and the district’s aging buildings hard.

“Average age of our buildings is 56 years old. We have to keep pouring resources into them — mopping floors, replacing ceiling tiles, etc. until funding is secured from the Alamance County Commissioners to correct these issues,” the district said.