TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Water damage from a burst pipe has displaced residents at Statehouse St. Augustine, adding to ongoing concerns about flooding and plumbing issues at student-heavy off-campus housing complexes in the area.
Videos shared with FOX 49 show water pouring inside Statehouse St. Augustine as residents tried to figure out what to do. Resident Carolina Costero described the moment the situation unfolded: “So story time on the worst day of our lives”
Costero said the incident began with a fire alarm and quickly escalated. “First, the fire alarm starts. Then I get a call from my roommate saying, like, ‘Come now, pack up all your stuffit’s over,’” she said.
Costero told FOX 49 she has lived in her apartment for three years. She was not able to do an interview, but gave permission for her videos to be used and said management told her a pipe had burst.
Statehouse management later confirmed a pipe burst on the sixth floor around 9:30 Thursday night, sending water through multiple floors and affecting several residential units.
“We’re obviously heartbroken. We’ve lived in this apartment for three years now. We’re gonna have to move out,” Costero said.
Statehouse said professional water extraction and restoration specialists were brought in immediately, and displaced residents were placed in hotels that same night. Management said crews are removing damaged drywall and other materials before reconstruction begins.
In a statement, Statehouse management said, “We deeply regret the stress, disruption, and uncertainty this unexpected incident has caused our students and their families.”
Management said its team is inventorying damaged belongings, helping residents with renters insurance, and will continue covering hotel accommodations until displaced residents can return.
The flooding at Statehouse comes as FOX 49 has also been following concerns at nearby Perla Apartments, where residents have recently reported plumbing and flooding problems.
Statehouse management said restoration crews will remain onsite until the work is complete and every displaced resident can return home. The company said it will continue providing temporary housing and assistance to affected residents throughout the process.