Flooding has occurred once again in Oakmont Carnegie Library’s lower-level community rooms forcing cancellation of all programs.
At least several inches of water covered the floors of the Oak Room, Squirrel’s Nest bookstore and other rooms at 700 Allegheny River Blvd. Monday afternoon.
Programs have been canceled through at least Friday.
“This is probably the worst one that we’ve had,” Children’s Librarian Karen Crowell said about the flooding. “It was a lot of water in a short amount of time.”
Crowell said the storm struck around 1 p.m. Crews from Oakmont-based ServiceMaster responded within 90 minutes of the flooding.
“They seem pretty confident they can get it cleaned up by Friday,” Crowell said.
The community rooms are used for the library’s various fitness and educational classes.
Crowell said no storytimes are scheduled in August so staffers and families can take a break after the summer reading program and prepare for the new school year.
Total damage will be assessed once cleanup is complete.
The library’s lower-level community rooms flooded twice in 2016 and again last summer, each costing tens of thousands of dollars in repairs.
It received a $43,000 Keystone Recreation Park and Conservation Fund grant last year to help cover those costs.
The borough contributed matching funds for the grant.
