Last week, El Niño brought heavy rainfall to Westwood, causing minor leaks but no significant damages to the UCLA campus.
UCLA Facilities Management and UCLA Housing officials conducted preventative maintenance on roof drains and storm sewers to avoid significant flooding on campus, said UCLA spokesperson Rebecca Kendall. Workers also placed sandbags in areas to slow down flooding and direct water flow toward drains.
During El Niño, sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean rise, causing more rainfall than usual during Southern California winters. This year’s El Niño is predicted to be one of the strongest since the 1997-1998 El Niño, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The 1997-1998 El Niño cost the United States about $1.1 billion in damages, according to the American Meteorological Society.
Kendall said no major issues were reported, and minor issues were attended to quickly.
A leak in a Young Hall computer lab damaged walls and the carpet, but not the computers. Janette Kropat, Young Hall building and facility manager, said workers fixed the leak within a day. Kropat added that minor leaks have occurred in the past, due to deterioration of parts of the building.
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Kendall also said students reported windows in Covel Commons dining hall could not be closed properly because of strong winds. She added that the windows will be resealed and permanently repaired when the weather clears up.
An irrigation system on the balcony above Bruin Plate also leaked water last week. Kendall said the plater was temporarily repaired, and will be permanently fixed soon.
Kendall added drainage issues have been known to occur at the southwest corner of campus in the past, near the intersection of Gayley Avenue and Strathmore Drive, because the storm drain lines in that area are old. She said she wasn’t aware of any problem with the drains last week.
Los Angeles residents have become increasingly concerned about the integrity of water pipes following recent problems with under-maintained infrastructure. In July 2014, a water main burst on Sunset Boulevard, flooding campus with about 10 million gallons of water. UCLA officials demanded $13 million from the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power to pay for damages.
Compiled by Kartik Kolachina, Bruin contributor.