Pumpkin Spice & Everything Nice. Disastrous Floods & Unsightly Muds.

With the fall season comes the browning of leaves, the warmth of pumpkin spice lattes from Starbucks (because where else would one spend all their meal plan points?) and the nasty “ick” from being caught outside in the cold, wet rain.. Over one particular weekend, October 24,  the university and its students experienced the worst rainstorm yet this semester. 

With three inches of rain within the span of 24 hours, the campus was flooded with water. As shrubbery was strewn across the cement, shoes became dirty as stubborn leaves clung onto soles and were swept into building hallways. 

While California is definitely grateful for the downpour, the rain means that students suffered through the hassle of walking to classes. The lucky students had an umbrella; the unlucky students donned a raincoat, while the unprepared students simply ran. With puddles everywhere, students had to be careful with their steps to avoid an unsuspecting splash. 

For those who drive, the rain posed a new threat. As parking lots flooded, parked cars faced the possibility of being water damaged. Drivers can also face car troubles while driving on wet and flooded roads. As water accumulated in curbs, cars leaving and entering campus experienced vehicle problems. 

Stephanie Dao, pre-pharmacy 2 + 3, ‘25 was stuck in a predicament when she and a group of friends experienced an unfortunate challenge: being stuck in a flooded curb. As their car stalled out in floodwater, she and her friends had to push the car despite the ongoing rainstorm in order to move it to a safer location. 

“The water was at least 6 inches deep,” Dao specifies. However, Dao and her group weren’t the only ones experiencing such a problem. Multiple campus security officers were dispatched to help students whose cars had to be towed due to water damage.

And as quickly as it came, the rain went away, leaving Stockton dry and back to normal. With the passing of the storm, students once again resume their daily routines without the hassle of a downpour. With the arrival of winter comes the return of “Starbies” holiday drink specials, the last few midterms, and the dreadful finals that plague every student’s mind and soul. As the semester slowly comes to a close, it’s important to finish strong and stay in good health for the holiday season that is yet to come.