Saddle River Flooding

In 1954, Sister Mary Virginette Chlebowska worked with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to divert the Saddle River that ran through the Felician campus in Lodi, NJ.

To make room to build the new Felician College, Sister Justitia Lawniczak and Mother Mary Virginette Chleblowska worked with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1954 to divert the Saddle River, which often overflowed its banks. 

The “little red house” and other Felician buildings on the Felician campus were damaged in 1971 when Tropical Storm Doria caused the Saddle River to overflow its banks. The waters rose disastrously, crashing through Felician College’s cafeteria windows and causing massive damage to the structure and surrounding grounds. A historic little red house (pictured) had to be demolished. 

The U.S. National Guard arrived on the Felician campus to aid in cleanup from flood damage caused by Tropical Storm Doria on September 12, 1971. Waist high in water, Felician College President Sister Justitia Lawniczak and sisters worked with them to salvage as much as possible. Within a week, a second rainstorm caused the swollen river to flood the campus, resulting in million-dollar damages.