University of Louisville President James Ramsey and Provost Shirley Willihnganz updated the University Friday on the status of the school’s flood recovery efforts:
Colleagues,
As we continue to clean up after this week's flood, we want to take time out to thank everyone for your hard work under difficult circumstances.
This is the most significant damage our campus ever has sustained, and it will take some time to get back to normal.
It is difficult to believe the destructive power of water and how much damage can happen in a very short time.
Some of you had to evacuate your buildings – some even by rescue boats – and streets flooded with several feet of water.
Water entered many buildings around the north and east sides of Belknap Campus. Some still are closed while we clean the mud and remaining water from floors and other surfaces and remove water-soaked carpets, ruined wallboard and baseboard. At the Health Sciences Center the School of Public Health and Information Sciences was hardest hit with a foot or more of water in its basement.
Still, despite the daunting task ahead of us, we are making progress.
Physical Plant again is doing an amazing job restoring buildings and grounds in our third weather emergency in less than a year's time.
A lot of you have been on campus this week helping to clean up flood damage and move displaced offices to new locations – all while doing your normal jobs of helping students prepare for the coming semester.
You are doing a great job and doing it with a great "can-do" attitude. We have accomplished a lot in a short time and appreciate your dedication.
We also are encouraged by the number of people who have called to offer help and who have said they are keeping us in their thoughts. We appreciate their support in these difficult days.
The flood affected more than UofL buildings and property. We realize that many of you suffered losses at your homes. We are in the process of organizing an internal effort to help our campus family. You’ll hear more details about this next week.
Again, we thank all of you for everything you bring to UofL. The work and attitude you've shown over the last four days reminds us why we love this university.
James Ramsey, president
Shirley Willihnganz, provost
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