University closes due to severe flooding

This is an evolving story. Check back soon for updates.

Seton Hall’s campus will be closed Thursday due to flooding associated with post-tropical cyclone Ida, according to a pirate alert sent to students Wednesday night. 

The storm dropped heavy rain across the northeast, causing widespread flooding in South Orange, including on Seton Hall’s main campus.

“Due to excessive rain and flooding, Seton Hall University campuses will close on Thursday, September 2, 2021," the alert said. "This applies to day and evening classes at the main campus, Law School, and IHSC. Essential personnel, as notified by their supervisor, should report to work as directed.”

The extent of the damage is currently unclear, though parts of Fahy Hall, Schwartz Hall and other buildings were flooded as of Wednesday night. Facilities teams are working to assess the damage, according to an email from the Office of the President Thursday.

The TV studio in Fahy Hall, where PirateTV is filmed and many visual and sound media classes are instructed, was under several inches of brown water Wednesday, with more audibly dripping in through the walls and ceiling. 

Several classrooms on the basement floor of Fahy Hall were also flooding, with ceiling tiles sagging under the weight of dripping water. Some rooms had peeling paint and walls that were wet to the touch.

The University has yet to provide a statement on the flooding or the structural integrity of its facilities.

There was also minor flooding in Arts and Sciences and Schwartz Halls. It is currently unclear how many other buildings on campus have been affected.

Daniel O’Connor can be reached at daniel.oconnor1@student.shu.edu. Find him on Twitter @itsDanOConnor.