The disconnected phone lines were the only technology affected by the storm on Wednesday, said an NIU spokesman.

The rest of the university was able to function normally, said Paul Palian, director of public and media relations. A lightning strike knocked out the phone lines at about 8:30 a.m., and the rest of the day saw thunder, lightning, hail and rain that left walkways around campus flooded.

Palian said technicians worked diligently to restore service to the phone lines. Palian said the school was concerned about police dispatch service, but Bill Nicklas, vice president of public safety and community relations, said police were still able to be contacted.

“Despite the landline problems, NIU police are able to respond to emergencies as needed,” Nicklas said. “In an emergency, students, faculty and staff are advised to dial 911.”

NIU staff meteorologist Gilbert Sebenste said storms like Wednesday’s are usually small and cause no harm.

“We get hail because rain gets lifted up by thunderstorms that rise 40,000 feet into the air,” said. “Up there the air is very cold and the rain freezes into ice chunks we call hail. The hail then becomes heavy enough to fall to the ground. The storm system [on Wednesday] from the west produced the thunderstorms.”

Sebenste said it is common to get thunderstorms with hail in April, but the flooding rains are not as common. He said recent storms have been caused by the same jet streams that caused snow and blizzards in March.

“We have been stuck in a jet stream pattern that has brought storm system after system into our area,” he said. “Most have been fairly weak, but enough to produce clouds that hang around after the system has gone by.”

Freshman English major Deanna Okerblad said she had no choice but to bear the rain.

“Nothing was canceled, but it soaked into my shoes and made sitting in class unbearable,” Okerblad said. “It made me so upset.”

Sebenste said based on the weather Wednesday and what is expected today, April’s rainfall should be well above average.

“Obviously, there’s lots of ways thunderstorms can affect us,” Sebenste said. “With flooding, roads can be closed, crops can be damaged and damage to basements or houses can occur.”

Sebenste said he expects the last 10 days of April to be dry, but it is possible May will be wet and stormy.