Storm forces delay at two Aurora schools as crews clean up flood damage
Two schools in Aurora’s Cherry Creek School District did not open for the first day of classes after weekend storms produced significant flooding and interior damage on campus, district officials said. Highline Community Elementary School and Overland High School were the only schools in the district that did not welcome students on Monday, with the district indicating both were expected to reopen Tuesday.
District crews were seen working on site to remove debris, replace damaged materials and begin remediation. At Overland High School, administrators reported flood water entered portions of the building and caused damage to the performing arts wing and the auxiliary gym. At Highline Community Elementary, crews spent the day replacing ceiling tiles while the building continued to dry out.
The scale of the storm was visible to neighbours. Cam Price, who lives across from Overland High School, described streets turning into fast-moving water and showed crews and neighbours the aftermath, including a vehicle stranded in a nearby park parking lot. District photos and on-site workers showed staff sweeping away sticks, rocks and dirt from school grounds on Monday afternoon.
"There was literally a river running down the street... It looked like everything was blowing almost straight sideways."
The Cherry Creek School District said remediation work included replacing carpet in the performing arts wing and other cleanup measures in areas affected by flood water. Photographs released by the district showed crews remediating a music or drama classroom space inside Overland High School and replacing ceiling tiles at Highline.
For students, the delay translated into an unexpected extra day of summer for some and frustration for others. Incoming fifth-grader Allison Perez told reporters she was surprised and a little disappointed not to be able to see friends on the scheduled first day.
- Schools affected: Overland High School; Highline Community Elementary School
- Primary damage reported: Performing arts wing and auxiliary gym at Overland; ceiling tiles and interior drying at Highline
- District response: Cleanup crews on site, carpet replacement, ceiling tile replacement, ongoing drying and remediation
Visible cleanup and short-term fixes as schools prepare to reopen
On Monday, district maintenance teams were observed sweeping away debris and undertaking targeted repairs to make spaces safe and usable. The district indicated that the affected schools would be ready to receive students the following day, pending completion of cleanup and remediation work.
Public accounts and district statements focused on immediate recovery actions rather than long-term damage assessments. The work described — replacing carpets and ceiling tiles, removing debris and drying interior spaces — is consistent with initial mitigation measures to prevent mould, further structural harm and to restore safe learning environments. Photos provided by district crews showed workers with cleaning tools and materials in hallways and classrooms.
| School | Area affected | Immediate action taken |
|---|---|---|
| Overland High School | Performing arts wing; auxiliary gym | Carpet replacement; classroom remediation; debris removal |
| Highline Community Elementary | Hallways and interior ceilings | Ceiling tile replacement; drying operations |
Residents near the schools recounted the severity of Saturday’s weather. One neighbour said flooding had been seen in the area before but not to the degree observed over the weekend. Visual evidence of the storm’s intensity included a vehicle stranded in a park lot and water flowing rapidly down residential streets.
District officials did not provide a detailed timeline for a full damage assessment or any information on potential insurance or longer-term repair work in the statements released with the initial cleanup update. At this stage, communications from the district emphasised restoring access and safety so students could return on Tuesday.
As crews worked on Monday, the immediate priority for families and staff was ensuring buildings were dry, safe and clear of debris. For students like Allison Perez, the extra day was a reminder that weather can swiftly disrupt routine and that recovery often begins with straightforward, visible tasks: sweeping, drying and replacing damaged materials so classrooms are ready for learning.
