Dramatic video shows the frightening moment floodwater several feet high smashed through the glass doors of an off-campus student house, blasting a door panel across the room as water poured in and quickly swamped the lower level.
The flooding unfolded on Aug. 27 in Glassboro, New Jersey, after powerful storms triggered significant flash flooding while Rowan University students were getting ready to move into housing before the September start of classes.
Tommy Scirrotto, who lives in the home, said in a GoFundMe post that the flood left heavy damage across four bedrooms on the lower level.
“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.
The Aug. 27 flooding damaged four bedrooms and left furniture, beds and rugs submerged on the home’s lower level. (James DiDomenico via Storyful)
When the video begins, roughly an inch of water had already made its way inside the lower level.
As one student moved toward the doors, a wall of floodwater could be seen pressing against the other side, seemingly moments from forcing its way in. Towels had been stuffed along the bottom of the French doors in a desperate attempt to hold the water back.
Seconds after the student warned, “This door is gonna break,” one of the doors collapsed under the pressure and shot across the room.
The flooding happened as Rowan students prepared to move into the Glassboro residence ahead of the fall semester. (James DiDomenico via Storyful)
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.
A resident said the storms caused extensive damage as floodwaters overtook the lower level of the off-campus home. (James DiDomenico via Storyful)
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.
