Rumors swirling that a school had collapsed in the City of Buffalo are false.
7 Eyewitness News received several calls and messages from concerned parents that Southside Elementary School #93 had fallen with the weight of the snow on its roof. But school officials assure that is not the case and that the school only suffered minor damage to ceiling tiles.
The Buffalo Fire Department Structural Collapse team assessed the building and found it was sound, though there was a plugged drain causing a leak. After opening the plugged drain, water began draining properly.
Executive Director of Plant Services Joe Giusiana said nothing major was found and “even the smallest breach in the drains, accumulated water on the roof will find its way into the building.”
“The leak did travel down the wall and wet the ceiling tiles in the front office and a few other rooms. After watching the news stories about disasters due to the storm, I understand the concern, but we are happy to say we’re left with a minor cosmetic problem now. It’s ugly, but it’s safe,” he said.
School staff was moved to Waterfront School for the remainder of the day as Southside Elementary is cleaned up and made ready for school to resume on Tuesday.
