Reading Area Community College - Flood of 2006

Flood of 2006

Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - After an extremely dry late winter and early spring, heavy rains struck eastern Pennsylvania in May and June 2006, eventually culminating in what is now known as the "Flood of 2006". Heavy rains deluged the area causing the Ontelaunee and Blue Marsh reservoirs to fill beyond capacity and begin to overflow. Fearing the dams would give way, the Reading Water Authority opened the sluice gates to relieve the pressure on the dams. In a matter of minutes the Schuylkill River transformed from a quiet, slow-moving stream into a raging torrent. The river crested at a record 33 feet (10 m), inundating the low-lying southern half of Reading.

Bearing the brunt of the water was RACC, which is situated on the Schuylkill's east shore. Every campus building south of the Penn Street bridge were under 10 - 12 feet (3.7 m) of water, causing millions of dollars of damage to buildings, cars, and equipment that couldn't be moved before the waters hit. The campus remained closed for several weeks afterward while the area dried out and damage was repaired. The campus eventually re-opened in mid-July, although it was several months before some buildings were repaired and reopened.