Goodrich – Goodrich Middle School students were evacuated this week after the school’s alarm system was disabled by a lightning strike.
The school was thought to have taken a hit during the May 10 lightning storm, which elicited a full response from Atlas Township firefighters, said Atlas fire chief Jim Naugler.
‘We don’t know where it struck,? said Dr. Jerry Lawrason, Goodrich Middle School principal. Since no evidence of direct contact was found at the school, Lawrason estimates the electrical damage may have resulted from lightning hitting a tree and transferring energy to a utility pole.
‘We thought the alarm was functioning,? said Lawrason, but a Tuesday morning test showed the fire alarm, public address system, automatic door locks, keyless entry, clocks, and other low-voltage equipment was disabled.
As the fire alarm is required to function while school is in session, students were evacuated to Oaktree Elementary at approximately 8 a.m. May 11 until buses were available.
Audette Alarm & Associates, of Clarkston, was on site to repair the system, which was back in working order so students could return Wednesday.
While students may have relished going home, the weather-related day off was a ‘major inconvenience for everybody?, including parents, said Lawrason.
How can residents prevent damage during a storm?
Naugler advocates staying off the phone and unplugging valuable electrical equipment.
‘I don’t trust surge protectors,? he said. ‘I don’t unplug the refrigerator, but I unplug the computer when there’s a major lightning storm.?