The drains were unable to process the amount of rain that fell during a short period of time, according to Assistant Custodial Supervisor George Shaheen.
Extensive water damage forced all six residents to be relocated from Jenkins 101, which sustained the bulk of the damage, according to Shaheen. Two people from Room 102 were also relocated. "The students were moved into vacancies in theme houses ... odd rooms across campus and room change rooms," said Administrative Assistant for Residential Life Betsy Marble.
All residents in rooms 101 and 102 suffered damage to their belongings. "All my shoes got soaked, along with a bunch of clothes. In the common room, our sub-woofer got wet, [as did] some controllers for Playstation 2, a TV, a carpet, and pillows to the couch," said Andrew Schiel '06E, a resident of Jenkins 101.
With the help of the custodial department, which was integral in the cleanup of the flooded rooms, much of the damaged property was salvaged.
"The clothes, including socks and shoes, were sent to a professional dry-cleaner to be taken care of," said Shaheen. "We were called in when the flooding was happening. We removed all the water and assisted the dean of students in finding the students a new place to live," said Shaheen.
Dean of Students Ben Lieber hopes that the students will be able to return to their rooms within two weeks.
The flooding in Jenkins is the second such occurrence of massive flooding this year. In July, the bottom floor of Chapin Hall was flooded due to a broken water main. The history department, located in that part of Chapin, suffered serious damage.
At least eight inches of water resulting from the broken water main flooded nine professors' offices and the history department office. Other history department rooms, including the copy room, the restrooms and the storage room, were ruined.
"Mostly books and papers were ruined, and, of course, the carpets and tiling," said Rhea Cabin, academic coordinator for the history department.
Lieber was quick to acknowledge the hard work of the people involved in repairing the damage resulting from the floods. "Great appreciation to [Special Services Coordinator of Custodial Services] Stan Adams and [Assistant Director for Custodial and Special Custodial Services] Mitch Koldy and all of their staff who were working past their normal hours," said Lieber.
While the incidents in Jenkins and Chapin may have students worried about the possibility of future flooding, Shaheen advises that there is no need for students to take preventative action, because flooding is unusual.