Kids & Family

Manahawkin Church, School Battered But Unbowed After Tornado

Freight train.

That's how a Lighthouse Christian Academy employee described the sound of the tornado that blasted through the Hilliard Boulevard area on Tuesday.

Mary Morse was in the school office when the sky blackened and the roar began. She struggled to close and lock the office door at the entrance to the school.

"I've never been in a tornado," she said. "As soon as I heard that roar...we should have known, as black as the sky was."

Today volunteers filled the school and church, trying to repair some of the damage caused by the blow. Workers from Atlantic City Electric and Verizon took care of downed wires and tree company workers were everywhere.

Three of the 20 classrooms in the Academy will have to be gutted. The roof collapsed over a portion of the school and water poured in, eventually leaving four inches on the floors, said school Principal Lorraine Sherman.

Only four people were in the school building when the tornado hit and no one was injured, Sherman said.

"It's a real reminder of who is in control and how he protected us," she said.

Six offices and nursery in the church will have to be torn out. The sanctuary sustained damaged when a portion of the roof gave way.

Sherman is also looking for donations for the school's playground. Many of the playground fixtures were damaged and will probably have to be discarded, she said.

Anyone who would like to donate items or help with cleanup can call 609-597-3915 for more information.

.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here