A tree was uprooted and fell onto St. Thomas Hall during yesterday's thunderstorms. Photo taken by Jon Wong '10.

Updated 7:30 p.m. on June 25, 2010

A large tree behind St. Thomas Hall at Saint Joseph’s University was uprooted during yesterday’s heavy thunderstorms. According to a message sent by President Timothy Lannon, S.J., to the university’s faculty and staff, large trees fell behind both St. Thomas Hall and Bronstein Hall yesterday afternoon.

In his e-mail, Lannon confirmed that damage had been sustained by both buildings: minor damage occurred in Bronstein, while significant damage occurred on the roof and second floor offices of St. Thomas.

No one was injured during the time of the accident, and Lannon said that all operations would resume normally on Monday. Employees who work in offices in the building are temporarily relocating to the 2nd floor of McShain Hall, a freshman residence center, for the next week until the tree can be cleared and the building can be properly assessed.

In his e-mail to the university community, Lannon also mentioned that this Sunday’s open house for new applicants will go on as scheduled despite St. Thomas Hall’s damage.

Yesterday afternoon’s storms brought wind gusts of up to 55 m.p.h., and caused over 280,000 homes to lose power in the Philadelphia region, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer‘s report. SEPTA’s regional rail services, including the R5, were delayed significantly because of the storm, which lasted from about 4 to 5 p.m. on June 24.

St. Thomas Hall hosts Saint Joseph’s University’s Office of Financial Assistance. Bronstein Hall hosts the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.