Damage assessment and cleanup efforts are ongoing at Illinois State University after a powerful storm swept through campus Thursday afternoon, August 13, causing power outages, flash flooding, and adjustments to Move-In and Welcome Week schedules. Classes are expected to begin as scheduled Monday, August 17.
Heavy wind—with gusts exceeding 60 miles per hour—toppled trees on the Quad and across roads around campus, along with downed power lines. The storm dumped over 2 inches of rain on Bloomington-Normal in one hour. No serious injuries have been reported.
"When we saw the forecast on Thursday morning, we decided we should get some sandbags out" to hold back the flooding waters at key locations on campus. "The rain exceeded our expectations. It overtook the sandbagging," said Jon Gibb, associate vice president for Facilities Services. "And if you walk the Quad, you’ll see the extensive tree damage that we sustained. The winds were extreme."
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Due to the damage, flooding, and widespread power outages, the University closed Thursday afternoon, though residence halls, Watterson Dining Commons, and Student Health Services remained open with emergency power. Power was restored Thursday evening. Housing Move-In appointments and all activities were canceled Thursday evening but resumed as scheduled Friday.
The University’s Damage Assessment Teams worked late into Thursday evening, making their way through 93 buildings. The Building Service, Trades, and Heating Plant employees also stayed late to quickly respond and begin remediation efforts that helped prevent additional maintenance issues.
"As remediation continues today, I’d like to recognize and say thank you to the many employees who have helped ensure our campus community’s safety and that our learning spaces are ready for students and faculty on Monday," said President Aondover Tarhule in a message on Friday.
"We are very confident that there will be no effect on classes on Monday (the first day of class)," Gibb said. "Over the weekend, we’ll clean and clear sidewalks and find damaged trees that might make unsafe conditions. Our teams and contracted services have started extracting water, deploying fans, and drying things out inside flooded buildings."
Visit Housing.IllinoisState.edu for additional Move-In updates. Students needing assistance can contact their residence hall front desk or call University Housing Services at (309) 438-8611. Housing is located in the Office of Residential Life building (ORL) and will be open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Welcome Week events continue through Sunday, August 16; any adjustments to the schedule will be made at WelcomeWeek.IllinoisState.edu/Schedule.
Much of the surrounding community remains without power. For those living off campus, power updates are available through the Ameren Community Outage Map. The Bone Student Center, Redbird Game Complex, Student Fitness Center, Milner Library, and dining centers are open Friday.
The University is asking the community to avoid the Quad, as numerous trees are down in that area. Facility damage or issues should be reported to Facilities Services at (309) 438-5656.
