BARRY COUNTY, Mich. — Strong and severe storms hit West Michigan on Monday afternoon, leaving thousands without power, including neighbors in Barry County.
Storm damage hit the Lakewood Early Childhood Center, and a portion of the roof was even blown off the building.
WATCH: Roof blown off Early Childhood Center, superintendent says it can no longer 'safely serve students'
Superintendent Jodi Duits shared a letter with FOX 17 sent to the district's staff and families.
The letter explains that around 2:30 p.m. Monday, the Early Childhood Center activated a shelter in place following emergency sirens in Woodland, due to severe storm warnings and high winds in the area.
Around 3 p.m., a portion of the roof over the administration office was blown off the building, and buses en route for dismissal were pulled off for shelter around 3:15 p.m.
The letter reads, in part: “We are incredibly grateful for the swift action of our team and the cooperation of our school family, ensuring that the safety of our youngest learners remained our absolute priority throughout the situation. As a result, there were no injuries of staff or students.”
Duits adds that this is the second time in recent years the building has suffered from storm damage, the first being in 2017.
The letter also says that steps are being taken to close the Early Childhood Center since it can no longer safely serve students.
You can find Duits' full statement below.
May 18, 2026
Dear Lakewood Families:
At 2:27 p.m. Lakewood Early Childhood Center activated a Shelter in Place following the activation of emergency sirens
in Woodland. The sirens were triggered due to severe thunderstorm warnings and high winds in the areas. At 2:55
p.m. the administration office, located near the rear of Lakewood Early Childhood Center was compromised due to
exceptionally high winds, resulting in a portion of the roof being blown off the building. Additionally, our busses which
were in route for dismissal were pulled-off for shelter at 3:15 p.m.
We are incredibly grateful for the swift action of our team and the cooperation of our school family, ensuring that the
safety of our youngest learners remained our absolute priority throughout the situation. As a result, there were no
injuries of staff or students. This incident marks the second time in recent history that the building has faced such a
challenge, as a similar roof event in a different portion of the building occurred during high winds back in 2017. While
this history is a reminder of the challenges we face, it also highlights our unwavering commitment to the safety and
security of our students. The events of today serve as a testament to why our students and staff commit to safety
training throughout the year, ensuring that when the unexpected happens, our school family is prepared to respond.
As we communicated to community in our district streamlining plan, steps are being taken to close the Lakewood Early
Childhood Center as it can no longer safely serve students. The west entrance to the administration offices is not safe.
The district is currently assessing today’s damage and will provide updates as we work to ensure our grounds are
secure.
At this point, several of our buildings are currently without power, and we want to share the following plan for tomorrow’s
school day to ensure all families are prepared. Our leadership team has been working closely with utility
providers to monitor the situation and establish a clear path forward for our students and staff.Thank you for your grace, understanding, and patience as we again navigate this situation. Stay tuned for further
- Lakewood Early Childhood Education Center: Closed, May 19, 2026 – Students Do Not Report
- Lakewood Elementary School: Please watch for further announcements – LES Was Unaffected by the Storm
- Lakewood Middle School: Please Watch for Further Announcements – No Power
- Lakewood High School: Please Watch for Further Announcements – No Power
communications.
Respectfully,
Jodi Duits
Superintendent of Schools
Additionally, Woodland Township Fire Chief Bryon Lehman shared the following information with FOX 17:
"On May 18, Barry County Central Dispatch activated the emergency sirens for Barry County to let the communities know that severe weather was heading our way.
The sirens went off at 14:27, and the administration decided to move the students into the gymnasium for their safety along with the staff.
At approximately 14:55, the south part of the building 'Administration Building' was hit with a strong wind gust, causing the second roof to come loose and blow over onto the building, along with sending insulation and other debris into the drive and nearby yards.
In 2017, the west roof was severely damaged due to a strong wind gust also.
In both events, no one was injured."
FOX 17 also spoke with Ron Martin, who has lived on the neighboring lawn to the Early Childhood Center for 61 years.
Martin also taught at the Early Childhood Center for 36 years.
Although there was no damage to his home, his lawn was covered in storm debris.
“I looked out our door that goes to the school, and I could see parts of the roof flying through the air, and it was raining real hard. It lasted about 15 minutes, and it was done,” Martin said.
The district is assessing the damage, but both Lakewood Middle School and Lakewood High School were without power as of Monday night.
The Early Childhood Center will be closed Tuesday, May 19.
Families should await further announcements from the district regarding other buildings.
