Celina ISD works to repair tornado storm damage and help its impacted students

As you travel along Preston Road into Celina, the town appears unchanged, but the path where the tornado made its entrance is evident, with downed trees and power lines marking its trajectory. Remarkably, the schools are situated right along this path.

Moore Middle School bore the brunt of the storm’s impact, sustaining minor damage such as a few broken windows and roof damage. Adjacent to the building, the tennis courts suffered significant destruction, with twisted fencing, nets, and equipment strewn about. Beyond the courts lies the high school.

“It truly seems like the tornadic activity converged over our schools and then made landfall,” remarked Tom Maglisceau, Superintendent of Celina ISD.

Maglisceau noted that much of the damage extended to the roofs, with crews laboring throughout the day to remove damaged piping and HVAC equipment torn away by the powerful winds.

“While we can address and repair the structural damage, the storm moved on to impact some of our families in the community. Many of our residents have rallied to assist our neighbors,” Maglisceau added.

High school athletic teams took to the streets, lending aid to residents in nearby neighborhoods. Support poured in from both Celina ISD and the wider community.

Mario Gonzales responded to a Facebook call for volunteers, feeling compelled to offer assistance.

“We’re assisting them with temporary accommodations. I’ve heard we’re arranging stays for a week in certain places, with people from all corners offering their homes. Right now, our focus is on helping them retrieve their essentials,” Gonzales explained.

Celina ISD encourages families to reach out for assistance, pledging to provide support to the best of their ability.