A preschool in Alamance County, North Carolina, has been forced to temporarily shut down after suffering extensive damage from flooding caused by Tropical Storm Chantal. The Saxapahaw Village Kids Preschool, a non-profit organization serving dozens of local families, now faces significant financial challenges as it works toward a potential reopening.
The closure follows catastrophic flooding in July when the Haw River overflowed its banks, inundating the Saxapahaw United Methodist Church where the preschool has operated for 13 years. The program anticipates losing more than $65,000 in income during the shutdown and is relying on community donations to prevent permanent closure.
Key Takeaways
- Saxapahaw Village Kids Preschool in Alamance County is temporarily closing for three months.
- The closure is due to severe flood damage from Tropical Storm Chantal, with water levels reaching up to four feet inside the building.
- The non-profit preschool faces an estimated income loss of over $65,000.
- Community donations are being sought to support recovery efforts and ensure a planned reopening in January.
Tropical Storm Causes Unexpected Devastation
The damage occurred when Tropical Storm Chantal stalled over the region in July, causing the Haw River to rise to historic levels. Renee Lynch, who has run the preschool program for over a decade, described the event as an unexpected disaster.
"We went to bed Sunday night, monitoring the river levels," Lynch said. She explained that initial forecasts suggested they were in a safe location. However, the storm's behavior changed unexpectedly.
"When the system stalled out and just kept dumping rain, we woke up to our building under significant amounts of water."
The floodwaters were so high they reportedly rose above basketball goals located outside the facility. This unprecedented level of flooding left the interior of the building in disarray.
Assessing the Damage and Financial Impact
Once the water receded, the extent of the destruction became clear. Lynch reported that the water level inside the building reached between 3.5 and 4 feet, destroying most of the school's furniture, supplies, and educational materials.
"It got up to about 3.5 to a 4 foot of water inside," Lynch stated, highlighting the severity of the damage. The preschool, which operates as a non-profit, now faces a difficult path to recovery.
Financial Strain on Non-Profit
The temporary closure will result in a significant loss of revenue. "Over the next three months that we’re closed, we’re losing more than $65,000 in income," Lynch explained. This loss puts the future of the 13-year-old program at risk.
Associate Director Kendra Cruz noted that very few items could be salvaged from the flood. "These pods we're using to store some of the things that are salvageable," Cruz said. "Lots of books and Legos and art materials. Some of the hardwood, we were able to salvage."
The few saved items, along with new materials generously provided by the community, are being kept in storage containers while the main building undergoes extensive repairs.
Community Impact and Path Forward
The temporary closure creates a significant challenge for the dozens of families who rely on the preschool for childcare and early education. Lynch expressed the emotional toll this has taken on her team.
"We feel a lot of guilt from the burden that we’re putting on the families," she said. "Top that with extended hours working, manual labor and cleaning out the muck from the flood damages. It’s been a really long road and we are hopeful we can get through it."
Temporary Measures and Expiring License
Following the flood, the preschool was able to secure an emergency relocation license. This allowed them to operate temporarily out of another church. However, that license is set to expire this week, leaving the program with no choice but to close until its original facility is repaired.
With the temporary location no longer an option, the focus has shifted entirely to fundraising and restoration. The preschool's leadership is now leaning on community support to bridge the financial gap and ensure they can continue serving families in the future.
Hopes for a January Reopening
Despite the immense challenges, Lynch and her team are determined to reopen. The current goal is to restart the program in January, contingent on successful repairs and sufficient funding.
"We’re really trying to make sure we don’t close permanently," Lynch emphasized, underscoring the critical need for community assistance during this period.
The preschool has set up a way for the public to contribute to their recovery efforts as they work to rebuild and prepare for the return of their students in the new year.