Strong winds tear roof off suburban Chicago high school, classes canceled

Walsh Academy in Niles, Illinois closed due to weather-related damage

Mar. 13, 2026 at 4:48pm

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A high wind warning remains in effect after powerful gusts tore off part of the roof of Walsh Academy, a special education high school in Chicago's northwest suburbs. The school canceled classes for the day due to the weather-related damage, and no injuries were reported.

Why it matters

High winds can pose a serious threat to school buildings and student safety, leading to school closures and disruptions to education. This incident highlights the importance of emergency preparedness and the need for schools to have robust plans in place to respond to severe weather events.

The details

According to a statement from the school, part of the roof at Walsh Academy in Niles, Illinois was torn off by strong winds on Friday. The school canceled classes for the day, citing the "safety of our students and staff" as the priority. It remains unclear if classes will resume on Monday as the school assesses the situation.

  • The incident occurred on Friday, March 13, 2026.
  • A high wind warning was in effect for the Chicago area until 4 p.m. on the same day, with wind gusts possibly reaching up to 60 mph.

The players

Walsh Academy

A special education high school located in Niles, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago.

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What they’re saying

“The safety of our students and staff is our priority.”

— Walsh Academy (School statement)

What’s next

School officials said they will provide updates as "we assess the situation" and determine if classes will resume on Monday.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the importance of robust emergency preparedness and response plans for schools, especially in areas prone to severe weather events that can pose risks to student and staff safety.