WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (ABP) — Most every building on the campus of Palm Beach Atlantic University sustained water damage and one dormitory might be unsalvageable as a result of Hurricane Frances, according to one faculty member.
Located in a level one evacuation zone near the intracoastal waterway, the campus was vacated Sept. 2, as the category 2 storm bore down on the Florida East Coast, finally making landfall in the early hours of Sept. 5.
The university's Web site, being used as a source for updating students, faculty and staff, and the general public, quoted President David Clark as saying the campus sustained “minor damage, mostly by water.”
But according to Gary Poe, associate professor of history and religion, the water damage was pervasive, with the newest pharmacy building the most damaged because of poorly sealed windows. Assessments were still being made on the damaged dormitory to determine if it is a total loss.
“There was water damage in every building,” said Poe. “Anything that was facing south or west got water.”
More than 100 faculty and staff gathered Sept. 9 to begin cleanup, ripping out wet carpet, dealing with fallen trees, and gathering up broken limbs and debris strewn around campus. Because of waterlogged and sagging ceilings, they would not be allowed into their offices to assess personal damage until Sept. 10.
Power was restored to the campus Sept. 8, and students were supposed to be allowed back to resume classes on Sept. 14. But with the third hurricane to aim at Florida in a month — Hurricane Ivan — taking aim at the lower peninsula, those plans have been put on hold until further information becomes available.
A mandatory evacuation of the Florida Keys was issued Sept. 9 and the entire lower half of Florida is waiting anxiously to see where it makes landfall. Forecasters said Ivan — with 140 mph winds — could reach the Keys as soon as Sunday or Monday. The last time three hurricanes hit Florida in a single season was 1964, when Cleo, Dora and Isabel hit the state.
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