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Rain Causes Campus Flooding

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More than a million gallons of water swept through the first floor of the LRC/GC in the early-morning hours of May 6. Torrential rains caused Fred Creek to overflow its banks, bringing water ranging from 4 inches to waist-deep into the building, and completely submerging some of the mechanical rooms under 8 1/2 feet of water.

"It's never flooded like this before," said David Ellsworth (75;82-MBA), vice president for Operations and Finance.

The departments and areas affected by the flood include Biology, Chemistry, Engineering and Physics, the MultiMedia Institute, Educational TV, Photography, Graphics, Archives, Shipping and Receiving, the Mailroom, Power Plant, faculty offices, classrooms, and labs.

Damage is estimated at more than $3 million. ORU has flood insurance (with a substantial deductible), but clean-up and restoration is expected to take several more weeks. Many offices will not be open for business until the start of the fall semester.