Video captured the tense moment when several feet-high floodwaters suddenly burst through the glass doors of an off-campus student home, sending a door panel flying across the room as water rushed inside and inundated the lower level.
The incident happened Aug. 27 after severe storms brought major flash flooding to Glassboro, New Jersey, as Rowan University students were preparing to move into housing ahead of the September start of the school year.
Tommy Scirrotto, a resident, said the flooding caused extensive damage to four bedrooms on the lower level of the home, according to a GoFundMe post.
“The storms in Glassboro, Nj claimed the entirety of the lower level at our home. 4 bedrooms completely flooded, resulting in a huge amount of damage,” Scirrotto said.
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At the start of the video, about an inch of water had already seeped into the lower level.
As a student approached the doors, several feet of floodwater could be seen building up on the other side, appearing on the verge of breaking through. Towels had also been placed along the base of the French doors in an attempt to keep the water out.
Just as the student said, “This door is gonna break,” one of the doors immediately gave way and was sent flying across the room.
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In the chaotic moment, water rushed inside, eventually overtaking multiple makeshift barriers made of laundry that appeared to have been used to slow the initial flow of water.
Photos posted on GoFundMe showed furniture, beds and rugs completely submerged in floodwater.
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On the same day, Rowan University issued a warning about severe flash-flooding conditions across the region, adding that water had also “infiltrated” the Glassboro campus.
“Several campus buildings have also taken on water,” the university said.
“Please exercise caution and stay safe during this severe weather.”
According to the National Weather Service, the wider southwestern New Jersey region received between 4 and 6 inches of rain.