Africa-Press – Liberia. Parents and educators are urging the River Gee County School Board and the Ministry of Education to intervene quickly to restore the learning environment.
A violent and destructive storm swept across multiple communities in River Gee County over the weekend, leaving a trail of devastation that claimed one life, destroyed a school, and severely damaged the county’s main sports facility.
In Tuobo Gbaweleken, tragedy struck when Marie Doboyou, a woman believed to be in her early 40s, was killed after a massive tree, uprooted by the fierce winds, crashed down on her yard.
Eyewitnesses reported that the storm struck with little warning, leaving residents scrambling for safety. A 15-man coronal jury confirmed that Doboyou died instantly from injuries caused by the falling tree. She was widely known for her warm personality and active role in the community. Her sudden passing has left the town in mourning.
In Potupo Jaytoken, the storm caused severe damage to Saiyah Elementary School, displacing over 100 students from kindergarten through elementary levels.
Principal Milton Jarwin said the building has been rendered unsafe, suspending all academic activities.
“Looking at the condition of this building, it is not safe for the students anymore.” He said. “So we suspend all learning activities.” Principal Jarwin continued.
Parents and educators are urging the River Gee County School Board and the Ministry of Education to intervene quickly to restore the learning environment.
For his part, River Gee County Education Officer Jallah Sammy acknowledged the destruction and assured the public that he is engaging relevant authorities for a coordinated response.
In the county capital, Fish Town, the storm tore through River Gee’s main sports facility, ripping off sections of the roof and destroying parts of the stands.
The facility, which recently hosted River Gee’s historic victory in the National County Sports Meet, has long stood as a unifying symbol for youth and community engagement.
Its current state of disrepair has brought local sports activities to a halt and deeply impacted community morale.
It can be recalled that during the 2024 National County Sports Meet, a similar storm disrupted the highly anticipated match between River Gee and Grand Gedeh counties, leading to an abrupt postponement of the game to the following day.
The latest destruction now reinforces concerns over the vulnerability of local infrastructure to extreme weather events.
If swift action is not taken to rebuild and strengthen community resilience, nearby towns and villages remain at high risk of similar devastation.
Many of these areas face the same environmental vulnerabilities—aging infrastructure, inadequate shelter, and limited disaster response mechanisms. Without timely intervention, future storms could cause even more widespread damage, jeopardizing lives, livelihoods, and the long-term stability of River Gee County as a whole.
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