The Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom - dehumidification efforts post-flood. Photo taken 6/30/2006 by Jeffrey Reed for the National Archives.
Fact Sheet on June 2006 Flooding
BACKGROUND: After record-breaking rainfall in the Washington, DC area, Constitution Avenue flooded on Sunday night, June 25, 2006. At approximately 10:30 PM, National Archives security staff discovered that accumulated rain water had poured down the driveways on both the 7th and 9th Street sides of the National Archives Building and flooded the transformer vaults and the sub-basement areas of the building. The two transformer vaults were submerged—one in four feet of water, and one in eight feet of water.
The William G. McGowan Theater (opened in September 2004) which is located under the Constitution Avenue steps was also flooded. The water flowed from the street level down the theater steps, submerging the stage and the first two rows of seats. Power to the building went out immediately, however the sprinkler and security alarm systems remained operational. Sump pumps continued to operate since they were powered by the emergency generator but were overwhelmed by the volume and had no place to pump the water to.
Standing water outside subbasement generator and elevator. Photo taken 6/26/2006 by Jeffrey Reed for the National Archives.
REMEDIATION: Emergency staff was notified and cleanup operations began immediately. Emergency pumps and generators were ordered and operational by Monday morning (June 26). Employees and staff have been working 12-hour shifts, around the clock to clean-up. By Tuesday morning (June 27), the standing water in the sub-basement, the McGowan Theater, and the transformer vaults had been removed.
Inspections of the Charters of Freedom—the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights—the stack areas, the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom, the other exhibition areas including the Public Vaults and the Lawrence F. O’Brien Gallery, have indicated that no original records were affected by the flood. The Charters of Freedom are in environmentally-protected encasements.
There was concern, however, that the power outage could cause temperatures and humidity levels to rise beyond what is considered safe for original paper-based documents. The National Archives conservation staff is taking periodic readings of the temperature and relative humidity (RH) levels in all of the affected areas. The National Archives has installed three industrial-size dehumidifiers to help stabilize the areas.
The following indicates the RH levels at various times in various places within the building:
Following the storm the relative humidity rose in some of the public areasto 97% RH and 73 degrees F, however with the introduction of dehumidification equipment Tuesday (June 27) the relative humidity has been reduced as of Wednesday (June 28) to approximately 55%.
Most of the records storage stacks have not seen significant environmental changes as a result of the storm. The stacks have held their relative humidity and temperature at moderate levels (approximately 50-53% and 72 degrees). The thick walls of the building and keeping the stacks closed have been very helpful in maintaining these conditions. National Archives staff continues to monitor these conditions closely.
In a small portion of the upper stack areas a rise in relative humidity to about 70-75% did occur. The source of humid air, which came through a duct, has been closed. The environment is anticipated to equilibrate as needed. The environmental conditions and the records themselves are being monitored closely. If needed, NARA will bring in dehumidification to these stacks.
The National Archives William G. McGowan Theater - flood damage. Photo taken 6/26/2006 by Jeffrey Reed for the National Archives.
KNOWN DAMAGE: The McGowan Theater has been badly damaged, due to standing water. All damaged structures, flooring, and carpeting have been removed. The curtains, stage and woodwork will be assessed to see if they can be salvaged. The transformers and high voltage electrical distribution system, which were inspected by PEPCO and an electrical repair contractor, sustained significant damage. Repair continues on the primary feeds and switchgear to the building. Crews continue to work around the clock disassembling components of the switchgear, cleaning and replacing or repairing as needed. The limiting factor is parts availability. Damage continues to be uncovered as more gear is disassembled which adds to the overall workload. While partial power may be restored on Monday, July 10, additional time is needed to test systems and bring them back on line.
While a good deal of effort is focused toward the primary switchgear, work continues on secondary systems and central plant systems. To date, six primary chill water pump motors have been replaced and all motor control centers have been opened, cleaned and are drying out. Several air handlers are being checked to ensure they work when power is restored. The chillers have been checked/tested to the extent possible without power. The primary focus remains on systems that support the Rotunda and stack areas.
IMPACT: The building closure comes during the peak summer visitor season. Attendance during this week is typically 5,000 visitors a day. (The National Archives has experienced nearly 20% growth in attendance since 2005 and more than 50% growth in attendance since 2004). It was particularly unfortunate that the closure came on the same weekend as the opening of the new exhibition "Eyewitness: American Originals from the National Archives," which received critical acclaim just a day earlier. The National Archives wishes to express its deep regret to the thousands of disappointed visitors and will endeavor to get our exhibits open to the public as soon as possible.
For press information, contact the National Archives Public Affairs Staff at its temporary office (301) 837-1700. Once the National Archives Building reopens to the public, the Public Affairs Staff can be reached at: (202) 357-5300.
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