Tornado destroys former school gym in Talledega county, Alabama

A tornado tore through the Winterboro community of Talledega County, Alabama, and destroyed an old high school gymnasium when the storm catapulted a school bus onto the gym roof.

The St. Clair Times reports that one local resident was killed in the EF2 tornado with winds of 120 miles per hour.

Among the structures sustaining serious damage was the gym at the old Winterboro High School in Alpine, which was destroyed after being hit by an apparently airborne school bus.

"The old facility is going to be a total loss," Talladega County Schools Superintendent Suzanne Lacey said. "We are fortunate that the new school was not seriously damaged, though. There are some shingles missing and some trim damaged, but the new school is intact for the most part."

The alternative school behind the old gym had windows blown out and was flooded, and the fences, press box and concession stand at the athletic field were also destroyed.

"All of our big trees were uprooted, and power poles are down" Lacey said. "We had a school bus on the roof, so that just goes to show you how powerful a tornado can be."

The gym was not being used by the county school system, but it is still used as a polling place in county elections.

"We're very thankful for everyone who has come out to help," Lacey said. "We are truly blessed. Our architect drove in from Birmingham this morning to check on us, and we have a roofer coming to put a tarp over the part of the new school where the roof was damaged, in case it rains next week. I just can't say how much I appreciate all the first responders and all the members of the community coming out to help."