Penn buildings and residences sustain minimal damage from floods

Campus buildings and off-campus residences sustained only minimal damage after severe floods hit Philadelphia.

No University buildings have sustained major damage, though some buildings experienced dripping windows and wet basements, according to a Thursday afternoon statement from Facilities and Real Estate Services Director of Operations & Maintenance Faramarz Vakili.

FRES is continuing to monitor areas of campus that may be affected as water levels change, Vakili wrote.

Off-campus residences similarly experienced either minimal or no damage.

“WE DID NOT EXPEREINCE [sic] ANY FLOODING OR DAMAGE," University Realty Leasing Manager Brian Feller wrote in an email to The Daily Pennsylvanian. University Realty manages several locations near Penn's campus, including properties on Chestnut Street and Ludlow Street.

Some Campus Apartments properties sustained minor roof damage, and have installed dehumidifiers and are taking further preventative measures for the future, Campus Apartments Director of Operations Jason Cohen said. Campus Apartments manages many properties near Penn's campus.

Several other off-campus residences — including The Radian, Hamilton Court Apartments, and Domus — did not respond to inquiries about whether their properties had sustained flood-related damages.

Heavy rains Wednesday night, brought by remnants of Hurricane Ida, caused the Philadelphia area to experience severe flooding. The Schuylkill River was observed at "Major Flooding stage" as of Thursday morning, according to the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management. Flooding forced the closure of major roadways including the Vine Street Expressway (I-676), Schuylkill Expressway (I-76), and MLK Drive.

Penn suspended all University operations, including all classes, for Thursday due to the floods and tornadoes that were spotted in the area. 

Staff reporter Komal Patel contributed reporting.