Little Axe Schools Sustain Extensive Tornado Damage

By Jennifer Pierce, NEWS 9

LITTLE AXE, Oklahoma -- A portable middle school special education classroom is among the many structures damaged by Monday's tornado outbreak. The high school football field and administration building sustained heavy damage, as well.

The Little Axe superintendent is in talks with the state superintendent to determine if school will be out for the remainder of the year.

"Just seeing the whole building gone is just really difficult," said Little Axe teacher Della Gregory.

"In fact the state testing is across the road in the trees, but it got blown away before we could get it shipped out," said Barry Damrill, Little Axe Superintendent.

The superintendent estimated millions of dollars in damage. And it's not just a loss for staff, students are upset the school is gone and the football stands, equipment shed and field are destroyed.

The Country Boy Grocery Store in Little Axe also took a direct hit. Employees and customers took shelter in a freezer while the storm tossed cars and debris across the parking lot like toys.

The community is banding together to clean-up and get the school and area businesses on track for rebuilding.

High school officials are also deciding where to hold graduation now that the football field is damaged. It's likely the high school will be able to use the football field in Noble for graduation.