For photos of storm damage on campus, click here.Hurricane Gustav slammed into Baton Rouge on Monday, leaving the University’s campus and the city with much damage. The University is still working to assess the damage the school has taken.School officials are meeting at 4 p.m. today to discuss classes for the remainder of the week and the football game scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday in Tiger Stadium. As of now, classes have been canceled through Wednesday, but Saturday’s game is still on.The campus and nearby roads were experiencing significant flooding during the afternoon today, according to eye-witness accounts from The Daily Reveille. Numerous cars were stalled on side streets off Nicholson Drive, including Burbank Drive.The Emergency Operations Center lifted a “shelter-in-place” order at 7 a.m. today that was enacted Monday to keep students and faculty indoors during the worst of the storm. Only “essential personnel” and volunteers are now allowed on campus.LSU spokeswoman Kristine Calongne said in an e-mail to The Daily Reveille that the Emergency Operations Center has not been able to do a complete assessment of the campus.”There is some damage to the roofs of the [Carl Maddox] Fieldhouse and Natatorium, and there will likely be damage to other campus roofs,” Calongne said. “Trees are down, limbs are down and power went out to the entire campus.”Wind gusts were reported Monday at speeds of up to 92 mph.A tornado touched down on campus during the storm, ripping parts of the roof at the University Student Recreational Complex and knocking down a brick wall by Chopin Hall, according to reports from workers on campus.Steve Waller, director of Residential Life, said Tuesday afternoon that all residence halls have regained power, with the exception of East Laville and Acadian halls, which are partially restored.Emergency generators powered some lights, alarm systems and fire alarms when the residence halls were without power Monday. Waller said workers are still attempting to restore air conditioning in some halls.The residence halls, where more than 2,000 students and 1,000 family members stayed during the Hurricane Gustav’s run through Louisiana, did not sustain any specific damages or flooding, Calongne said.”However, we have not had a chance to do a complete assessment of the campus,” she said.During the storm, Calongne said there have not been any reports of crime on campus.Calongne said EOC officials are very pleased with its efficiency.”It has enabled LSU to handle the storm-related issues much more effectively in the past,” Calongne said. “Having this cohesive unit to function as a clearinghouse for all campus information has enabled the University to better assess and prioritize needs.”The EOC’s first priority is the provide safety to students, employees and guests, Calongne said.Other priorities included restoring power, providing food and water to everyone on campus and reopening the 459 Commons dining hall as soon as possible.The 459 Commons was reopened early Tuesday to serve students and campus volunteers. The dining hall remains closed to the general public.”We want to restore the campus to normal operations as quickly as possible,” Calongne said.Meanwhile, Hurricane Gustav took a hefty toll on the metro area.Gov. Bobby Jindal visited officials and patients Monday afternoon at the PMAC. Along with the Carl Maddox Fieldhouse, the PMAC is being used as a medical special needs facility during Hurricane Gustav.Jindal said the patients whom he talked to were in good spirits, but many were ready to go home. Calongne said at least 330 patients are being housed in the PMAC.Jindal thanked the students, volunteers, doctors and other medical personnel for their hard work.Baton Rouge Mayor-President Kip Holden ordered a curfew for the city from 8 p.m. Monday until 6 a.m. Tuesday. The curfew was also ordered from 8 p.m. Tuesday until 6 a.m. Wednesday. Only travel for emergencies are allowed, according to the Associated Press.
—-Nicholas Persac, J.J. Alcantara, Angelle Barbazon, Tyler Batiste, Daniel McBride and Kyle Whitfield contributed to this report.