Facilities Management, Public Safety Perform Rain Rescues

When a crisis strikes, Nova Southeastern University’s many unsung heroes spring into action to ensure the safety of our campuses. This month’s heavy rain event was one such emergency, leaving vehicles stranded, parking lots flooded, and employees on a couple of our campuses stranded.

Fort Lauderdale recorded almost 26 inches of rain in a 24-hour period on Wednesday, April 12, 2023, in what was called a “1-in-1,000-year rainfall event.” Fort Lauderdale officials said city’s stormwater system was only built to handle 3 inches of rain within 24 hours.

The rains caused chaos across Broward County, triggering abandoned cars, shuttered schools, and closure of Fort Lauderdale International Airport (FLL). FLL was forced to cancel hundreds of flights Wednesday and Thursday because of severely flooded runways. The airport reopened Friday morning, April 14.

Leading the charge in heading off disaster were Seth Mangasarian, the Physical Plant Director for the Office of Facilities Management; Paul E. Turner, the Director of Public Safety and Emergency Management; and Randall Seneff, Executive Director of Facilities Management.

While the Davie Campus experienced some abnormal flooding and a few disabled vehicles, the bigger issues were encountered on NSU’s East Campus at 3100 SW 9^th Avenue in Fort Lauderdale and its Oceanographic Campus at 8000 North Ocean Drive in Dania Beach.

In an effort to get a jump on the developing situation, Jim Lambe, NSU’s Associate Director of Technology & Communications, sent out several alerts on the SaferWatch app, three hours ahead of flood issues.

“We urge the NSU Community to get the SaferWatch app,” Turner said. “It’s the primary vehicle for sending out alerts.”

Within a 15-hour period, NSU’s emergency team rescued a total of 34 people at the oceanography and east campuses. According to Mangasarian, Turner, and Seneff, it took a village to save the village. The three commended the many people who joined in the effort to secure the safety of others:

• Ulises Roque and Julio Rojas joined Mangasarian to help at the Oceanographic Campus.
• Kirsten Green and Michael Walsh joined Turner at the East Campus
• Mallica Reynolds and Anna Ramirez-Clero help stem the tide of flooding at Museum of Art Building in downtown Fort Lauderdale. Public Safety Officer Leonard Rauch was also involved.

In some cases, the team had to help others shelter in place, transport people from buildings, and in one case they provided help and shelter to a random motorist who had just had surgery and found herself trapped with her son near the East Campus.

At the Oceanographic Campus, 14 people were initially stranded. Roque, Rojas, and Mangasarian rescued nine people over two trips. Five researchers decided to remain on the campus, and the team secured the area and allowed them to stay under the watchful eye of Public Safety Officer Andy Dany.

“The entire work of the team was amazing,” Mangasarian said. “There were a lot of great things that happened that night, from an outstanding facilities team.”

Many thanks as well to all the people who had personal damages and losses yet persevered to protect their homes and families and continue their dedicated work for NSU.

Posted 04/23/23