OAKMONT, Pa. — Cleanup efforts are underway at the Oakmont Carnegie Library after severe flooding caused extensive damage to the building’s lower level.
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“This is an unprecedented amount of damage,” library director Caitlyn Boland said. “It is more than we have ever seen in one incident.”
Boland said floodwater rushed through doors and poured from vents during Thursday night’s storm, resembling waterfalls inside the 125-year-old building.
As much as 8 inches of water covered the library’s 7,000-square-foot lower level, Boland told Channel 11.
“We had a little girl in our makerspace working with a staff member, working on projects when the water started pouring in,” Boland said.
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Amid the chaos, workers managed to save electrical equipment and historical documents stored downstairs.
The library’s main collection was not damaged, but books on the lower shelves of its bookstore were destroyed.
About a foot of drywall must be removed and replaced throughout the lower level.
Crews must also replace carpeting and inspect electrical equipment.
The damage will temporarily close several community spaces, including the bookstore, makerspace, children’s playroom and a large room frequently used for programs and events.
“This is going to be a tough loss for us, to lose those programs while we don’t have a space,” Boland said.
Standing water was also a concern, but Boland said emergency crews quickly removed it and worked to protect the rest of the library’s collection.
The library hopes to reopen its main floor early next week.
Boland expects it will take at least two months to fully restore the lower level.
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