Seven inches of rain that fell in 24 hours sent the Chicago River over its banks and led to the evacuation of the two residence halls. Water rose several feet surrounding Anderson Hall and flooded the basement of the Magnuson Center. Magnuson is the only campus building that remains closed.
Relocation was necessary when water began to cover the electrical transformers that are next to Anderson and regulate power to that dorm as well as Burgh and Magnuson.
Food service for resident students with a meal plan will continue in Hamming Hall with regularly scheduled hours until further notice. The Viking Café will also remain open for regular hours of service.
“We are grateful for the diligent work of our physical plant, campus security, and residence life departments, as well as all of our institutional partners and the City of Chicago,” President David Parkyn said. “I am very pleased with the ways North Park is handling the challenges this flooding has produced on our campus and in our community.”
Students already had begun reaching out to help others in the community and helped with sandbagging on Saturday night. Additional outreach efforts are being planned through University Ministries, which continues to assess damage on campus and in the surrounding area. The office is currently coordinating groups of students to offer support and assistance where needed, and to help with cleanup efforts in the neighborhood.
For a previous story, see Campus Flooding.
