The Legacy

Issue date: 1/27/10 Section: News

Media Credit: Courtesy photo Cold temperatures cause pipes in Calvert Rodgers down to burst, causing water to flood the hallway. Residents said the first and fourth floors received the worst of the damage and students were relocated into alternate housing until the damage was repaired

Media Credit: Courtesy photo Water spills into one of the floor lounges of Clavert Rogers dorm.

As temperatures dropped and frigid winds penetrated the St. Louis region this month, snow fell on campus, prompting Lindenwood University to cancel day classes.

On Jan. 7, approximately four inches of snow covered the ground in St. Charles County, and some students faced difficulties because of the cold weather.

Lindenwood student Atena S-K said that during the week of Jan. 4, the frigid temperatures damaged her campus housing. She said water pipes froze and then burst, causing water damage in her dorm, Calvert-Rogers Hall.

Temperatures plunged into the single digits and wind chill numbers fell below zero, putting St. Charles County under a winter weather advisory. Because of the frigid temperatures, news reports warned residents to stay inside to avoid the cold.

But S-K could not stay inside. When the pipes broke, the building was evacuated immediately.

"It was like a waterfall streaming down the walls," said S-K, using a abbreviation of her Polish last name. She said the fourth and first floors of the building seemed to be the most heavily damaged.

"A lot of stuff was damaged. I know one girl's computer was destroyed," S-K said. She said other people's belongings were damaged, some irreplaceable. But S-K said that with the dorm being heavily damaged and with water leaking everywhere, maintenance was quick to repair the building.

"The girls' rooms that got destroyed were placed in different housing … until the place was fixed," S-K said. "Within two days everything was fixed."

Graduate student Cassandra Ickes said the university had used caution to keep students safe during the cold weather. "The roads were mostly clear and salted," Ickes said. "Driving was not too bad."

Ickes also said students should take good care of their cars in cold weather.

"Car complications happen easily when it's cold. Your car should be fully warmed (up) before driving."

Ickes is originally from Ohio and said she was used to cold winter weather. "I am used to wearing a heavy coat all winter," Ickes said.

But even though the cold caused a lot of damage for some students, other students were enjoying their snow day.

Lindenwood student Jordan Saculles said she enjoyed this winter's first snowfall.

"I love the snow. I'm a winter person. I wish it would snow a little bit more," Saculles said. "Who wouldn't go outside and enjoy snow?"

Saculles said she likes to go out and play in the snow and even do some snowboarding.

"The only danger I really encountered were the roads, my driveway, and my stairs to my house," Saculles said. "Sometimes I stay inside but most of the time I go out and play."

Ickes also said that snow in St. Charles County is nothing compared to Ohio.

"Here the weather is strange compared to Ohio. There you have to wear a heavy thick jacket and sweaters all winter long," Ickes said. "Here there is snow on the ground for a couple of days then it goes back to normal."

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools