Approximately a dozen trees lost; all buildings escape structural damage
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12/09/11
Downed foliage on campus prior to clean-up
As campus is now cleaned up and damages assessed after the tremendous windstorm of December 1, Fuller’s Building Services Office reports that the seminary is very fortunate to have avoided major property damage.
Roughly a dozen trees across campus were lost, about half of which were large trees, including a major eucalyptus in the center of campus. One downed tree hit the front porch of Slessor Hall; as a result, a small portion of that porch will be rebuilt. Another tree behind the Catalyst snapped in half, causing minor damage to the rear exterior of that building. These problems, however, were relatively minor; none of the buildings across Fuller’s campus and housing areas experienced notable structural damage.
As of Tuesday, December 6, all buildings on the Pasadena campus were open—including the Catalyst and Carnell Hall, which had remained closed until the partially downed tree could be removed.
Earlier story, posted Friday, December 2:
Fuller Seminary was hard hit, as were businesses and residences across the San Gabriel Valley, by the brutal windstorm that sent hurricane-force gusts through the area in the early morning hours of December 1. Because of fallen trees, downed power lines, and other hazards across Pasadena and the surrounding area, the seminary was closed on Thursday, with all Pasadena campus classes cancelled.
The winds died down in Pasadena on Friday and Fuller’s campus reopened. Although the storm left downed trees, snapped-off branches, and abundant debris across campus, it appeared that most campus buildings escaped serious damage and clean-up efforts were well underway.
“Fuller's staff stepped up to serve our community with resolve, deep care, and tremendous dedication” after the windstorm, wrote Provost Doug McConnell in a message of gratitude to the seminary community. Many “worked long, hard hours to make sure our community stayed safe and well informed.”
“Please join me,” McConnell said, “in continuing to pray for those who lost property during the windstorm and offering thanks that so few sustained injury in what could have been a tragic week.”
The Catalyst and Carnell Hall on the Pasadena campus remain closed for the time being because of potential hazards to those buildings. All who walk through campus are urged to exercise caution, being watchful for debris on the ground and for loose branches that may fall from above as clean-up efforts continue.
See photos of the Fuller campus after the windstorm here.
Read more and see photos of Pasadena area damage in the Pasadena Star-News.
Photo at top courtesy of Fuller master's student Stephanie Joy Struck.