ANU hit by massive storm: Report

Just under 60 buildings across campus received major damage this week during one of the worst storms to hit Canberra in recorded history.

The freak storm cut a swathe from Belconnen to Civic late on Tuesday 27 February, pelting the area in large hailstones and heavy rain.

A thick layer of hail still carpeted the campus on Wednesday morning when University authorities began an extensive damage assessment and clean-up operation.

Water inundation was the most common cause of damage in many buildings, where gutters were blocked by hail and roofs gave way under heavy loads of rain. This resulted in extensive harm to ceilings, walls, carpets, computers, books and documents.

The School of Art, School of Music, Chifley Library, and the Research School of Information Sciences and Engineering, and Computer Science and Information and Technology buildings were among the hardest hit.

The hail also damaged some windows and skylights on campus, destroying up to 80 per cent of the glasshouses at the School of Botany and Zoology. Several more buildings received minor damage, mostly related to water leaks.

Given the number of buildings affected, staff were asked to remain away from campus and work at home until their building was cleared by safety inspectors. Most classes for students have been put on hold until Monday, although Information Commons areas were available for study today.

In contrast to the buildings, the ANU grounds were largely unscathed. Only one major tree was uprooted during the storm, according to the Head of Gardens and Grounds George Abraham.

“It’s the amount of litter, flotsam and jetsam, that’s staggering,” Mr Abraham said.

“I’ve never seen hail stick around in this quantity in summer. The sheer amount of it is incredible. Given all the leaves stripped from the trees, I don’t think there’ll be the same autumn colour this year.”

ANU staff and private contractors began restoring the buildings and grounds the day after the storm. Facilities staff said while most buildings would be open again by next week, it would be weeks before all repairs were carried out.

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