Campus Alert Archive
GSU

Red Wine Creek Floods Grambling's Lower Western Campus After 3 Inches of Rain, Canceling All Monday Classes

LAfloodingadvisorymedium confidence
Confirmed Threat

On the afternoon of Sunday, April 7, 2019, a severe weather system brought 2.5 to 3 inches of rain to Grambling, Louisiana, causing Red Wine Creek to overflow and flood the lower western portion of Grambling State University's campus. All campus roads in the affected area were rendered impassable, and the university canceled all classes and activities for Monday, April 8. The campus assessed flood damage and resumed normal operations on Tuesday, April 9.

Alerts
2
Response
—
Killed
—
Injured
—
Institution
Grambling State University
Hbcu · LA
~5,200 studentsGSAFE
Confirmed Timeline

Alert Sequence

2 messages in sequence

Some alert texts below are approximate reconstructions from news coverage, not confirmed verbatim transcripts. Reconstructed texts are shown in italic with a dashed border. Verified verbatim texts have a solid border and are marked accordingly.

INITIAL ALERTEmail
Approximate reconstruction600 chars
Grambling State University will be closed Monday, April 8, 2019 due to severe weather conditions. All student activities and campus events are canceled. All administrative offices are closed. The closure is to allow for campus buildings to be assessed in the wake of severe weather that has brought heavy rains and power outages. Travel access is restricted on campus due to excessive flooding in several areas. Please avoid travel on RWE Jones Drive between Central Avenue and College Avenue, Cole Street between RWE Jones Highway and Ballock Street, and College Avenue in areas west of Main Street.

This text has been reconstructed from news coverage and may not reflect the exact original wording.

Reconstructed from official Grambling State News post and KSLA local coverage; exact alert wording not independently confirmed
Red Wine Creek flood affected lower western campus structures near RWE Jones Highway and Cole Street intersection
Closure announcement went out Sunday evening after the flood peaked in the afternoon; affected multiple roads including the primary campus access road
ALL CLEAREmail
Approximate reconstruction272 chars
Grambling State University will resume its normal class schedule on Tuesday, April 9, 2019. Flood-impacted areas are being evaluated by the Facilities and Safety and Risk Management team. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to restore full operations.

This text has been reconstructed from news coverage and may not reflect the exact original wording.

Reconstructed from official Grambling State News update; exact wording not confirmed
All-clear was issued Monday allowing resumption of normal operations Tuesday
Facilities team assessment was ongoing even as the all-clear was given for Tuesday classes
Context

Background

Grambling State University, an HBCU in Grambling, Louisiana, sits near Red Wine Creek in a low-lying area prone to flash flooding. The April 7, 2019 flooding event was part of a severe weather system that impacted portions of Texas, Louisiana, and surrounding states, producing intense rainfall in the afternoon. University officials confirmed on the official Grambling State News site that the campus received 2.5 to 3 inches of rain, causing the creek to overflow and inundate the lower western campus. Access roads including RWE Jones Drive, Cole Street, and sections of College Avenue were flooded and restricted for vehicles. This was not the first time flooding had disrupted campus operations: in 2016, university president Willie D. Larkin declared a state of emergency after severe flooding damaged Adams Hall, Woodson Hall, and T.H. Harris Auditorium, with repairs lasting two years. The 2019 event, while less severe, further highlighted the vulnerability of the campus's aging infrastructure to regional weather events.
Outcome
No injuries reported. Multiple campus roads impassable on Sunday night. All Monday classes and activities canceled. Normal operations resumed Tuesday, April 9, 2019. Facilities and Safety and Risk Management teams conducted damage assessments.
Provenance

Sources

  1. News
    Grambling State closed Monday in wake of heavy rains and flooding - KSLA
    ksla.com
  2. Official
    Grambling State University: Flood Impact Update (April 7, 2019) - Official GSU News
    news.gram.edu
  3. News
    Grambling State University declares State of Emergency - KSLA (2016 prior event for context)
    ksla.com
Tags
floodingsevere-stormhbculouisianacampus-closureinfrastructuregramblingred-wine-creek
Added May 2026Updated May 2026Via ingestion