CLINTON, N.C. - Sampson County Schools announced Union Intermediate School will remain closed Tuesday after a microburst ripped off part of the roof.          

School leaders say it happened around 2 p.m. Monday. They say about a dozen students were in the gym for their physical education class when a portion of the roof suddenly collapsed.

Three kids were injured and sent to the hospital. They're expected to be OK.

"We can fix this school, but our kids and their safety are out number one priority," Assistant Superintendent for Personnel Services Wendy Cabral said.

Officials say they are still working to fix the water damage caused by the storm.

Two National Weather Service meteorologists finished a storm survey Tuesday. The survey team confirmed that a microburst with estimated wind speeds of 85 mph caused the damage to the school.

A microburst occured in a field adjacent to the school and subsequent outflowing turbulent wind caused the damage, the meteorologists said.