NATCHEZ — Natchez High School students and employees were sent home today at 1:10 p.m. and the campus evacuated after workers discovered a leak in a transformer there.

Steven Richardson, public relations coordinator for the district, said a maintenance team was inspecting and repairing equipment at the high school, made necessary after a recent storm power surge. He said the team discovered the leak and immediately contacted Entergy.

When Entergy officials arrived at the high school and inspected the leak, they advised the maintenance supervisor to contact the principal and superintendent and close the campus as soon as possible.

“The campus is closed until further notice. All after-school activities are cancelled for today. There are no further details at this time. The district awaits more information from Entergy,” Richardson said.

The closure includes students at Natchez Early College Academy and Fallin Career and Technical Center students and employees.

“Students normally picked up by their parents are being taken to Steckler Multipurpose Center for pick up,” Richardson said.

Natchez High School football players involved in Friday night’s Jamboree in McComb are being transported from Steckler Multipurpose Center to McLaurin’s gymnasium for departure to McComb later this afternoon, he said.