McDANIELS, Ky. — Powerful storms tore through Kentucky, bringing high winds and tornadoes to three counties. Breckinridge County was not one of them, but strong winds caused damage.

School buses filled with children were diverted when high winds damaged an elementary school near McDaniels. There has been no confirmation of a tornado in Breckinridge County, but it did significant damage to Ben Johnson Elementary School. It happened early Thursday while students were en route to the school according to Assistant Superintendent Jayme Knochel.

“Many were on the busses already as we had begun our morning transportation route,” Knochel told Spectrum News 1. 

Students were taken to the high school, and many remained there throughout the day. Knochel said because of how early it was when the storm hit, there were very few people inside the building at the time the storm passed over.

“Fortunately, no injuries, so that’s the thing that we are the most thankful for at this point.”

By noon, a small crew was cutting away parts of the damaged roof and throwing pieces into a large dumpster. Knochel said there is also water damage to the cafeteria area.

The storm scattered debris from the roof into a nearby tree, a field and the faculty parking lot.

“Very thankful for our supportive community. All the schools jumped in today and helped. Bus drivers, staff have been wonderful and our students have done such a great job,” Knochel said.

The district is currently assessing how many days until classes can resume inside the damaged school building.