UI research lab suffers total loss in March 31 storm

A University of Iowa research lab in Coralville suffered a total loss in a severe storm that passed through the Iowa City/Coralville community on March 31 and will need to be rebuilt.

Damage to the College of Engineering’s James Street Laboratory, located at 2421 James St. in Coralville, is irreparable. The building that housed the lab was built in 2003 and is one of several in Johnson County that were destroyed in the storm. The lab was unoccupied at the time and no one was injured.

“We are devastated to see the damage to these core engineering research facilities,” says Harriet Nembhard, dean of the College of Engineering. “Although these losses were significant, we were relieved to learn that no faculty or staff were injured. Engineers are resilient. We will rebuild, and we will continue our critically important research.”

The James Street lab was home to a scale model of the Santa Clara River that Troy Lyons and IIHR Hydroscience and Engineering researchers were using to study sustainable fish passage by using a vertical slot fish ladder. The lab is featured in this 30-second commercial on the Big Ten Network. The commercial highlights UI’s world-class research, education, and public service that helps solve society’s most complex challenges related to water and its impact on the built and natural environment.

Thank you to UI Emergency Management, which proactively monitors severe weather that has the potential to impact campus and collaborates with internal and external partners to provide support and planning resources. All Hawkeyes are encouraged to stay weather aware, take all watches and warnings seriously, and have a plan to seek shelter whether they are at home or on campus.