ZACH HEIMAN
Special to The Leader
Photo by MARLEY WEBER | Special to The Leader
As a result of heavy rain, WNYF-TV, Fredonia’s student-run television station, began to flood on Wednesday night.
The water was first noticed at the back of the station, which is located in the basement of Hendrix Hall.
At approximately 7:20 p.m., WNYF members found water rapidly pouring through the ceiling in the archives, the storage room and two editing suites at the back of the station.
This was just 10 minutes before News11, the station’s weekly newscast, was set to go live.
The News11 episode was quickly cancelled, and the crew began trying to save some of the equipment.
However, it was clear that the water could not be stopped, and University Police and emergency maintenance were called.
Shortly after the flooding was discovered, the building’s fire alarm went off, and the crew was safely evacuated by the show’s producers.
University Police and the Fredonia Fire Department quickly responded to the scene and entered the building.
While the water did not make it into the “green room” in the center of the station, it is likely that the two editing suites were ruined and many of the archives from WNYF’s history were lost.
“Even though we had a crazy turn of events, I’m glad everyone is safe and back home!” Jenna Gorton, News11 producer and PR director for WNYF-TV, posted in the station’s Discord group after the incident.
Shortly after, News11 Executive Producer Sam Fallone posted, “You are all so wonderful, I can’t say it enough, it would have been a perfect episode I know it. Y’all make news what it is.”
This is a developing story.
Zach Heiman is a producer of News11 and was present during the incident.
Video courtesy of ANNA SHEEHAN | Special to The Leader