2 Students Hospitalized After Suspected Tornado Rips Roof Off Alabama School

Two students have been transported to the hospital after a suspected tornado ripped the roof off a school in Alabama.

The Dothan Fire Department confirmed in a press release that “a severe weather event” impacted the area surrounding Dothan Preparatory Academy in Dothan at around 12:30 p.m. local time on Monday, March 31, causing damage to the property.

“There have been five reported minor injuries among DPA students. Two of these students have been transported to a local hospital for further evaluation,” the fire department continued in their release.

Emergency response teams and the Dothan Police Department “are actively assessing damage and ensuring the safety of residents,” according to the release. 

Parademics arrived on the scene after receiving a call about a roof that fell on five students during the storm, CBS affiliate WTVY reported. The students received minor injuries, the outlet stated.  

The Dothan Police Department confirmed in an update on Facebook that all of the students at the school are “safe” and that their “injuries are being addressed by Dothan Fire [Department].”

The police shared in a later post that the parents of the students should meet each other at the reunification point at Doug Tew Recreation Center on Garland Road. “Please be patient as this will be a deliberate process,” the department wrote.

The fire department also reported structural damage across the area affected by the storm and that approximately 3,000 Dothan Utilities customers were left without power.

“Utility crews are working diligently to restore service as quickly and safely as possible. Residents are urged to stay away from the affected area, as multiple roads are closed and downed power lines pose significant hazards,” per the fire department’s release.

No additional injuries in the impacted area have been reported. 

Dothan Mayor Mark Saliba clarified in a video posted by the fire department on Facebook that the storm caused “significant damage to the school” and areas leading up to Cottonwood Road and Southside Baptist.

“I want to say how blessed we are that it wasn't a lot worse than what it could have been had we taken a direct hit to the school,” Saliba said. “I want to commend all of our departments [including] Dothan Utilities Street Divisions. Everybody as usual has come together to work towards making sure everyone was safe.”

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PEOPLE reached out to the Dothan Fire Department for additional comments, but they did not immediately respond.