Frances strikes Archives

[nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org]

When the remnants of hurricane Frances reached Roanoke, they dropped over 6 
inches of rain in less than a day's time.

The deluge was more than the flat roof of the Archives building could 
handle. The floor of the front two sections of the Archives was soaked in 
1/2 inch of water. Some material stored in boxes on the floor has been 
soaked. Jim Gillum discovered the intrusion late Wednesday morning during 
the peak of the downpour. Additionally, 4 inches of water had infiltrated 
the basement of the building next door where additional material was stored.

Archives volunteers have vacuumed the water from the main Archives 
building. They are now going through the wet boxes, trying to save and dry 
out whatever was stored in them. The basement has been pumped out and the 
material stored there moved to another dryer building, a move that was 
already planned.

Damage to the collection is still being assessed.

Stay tuned.

Ron Davis