Newly released CCTV footage shows floodwater raging through a library in Long Island, New York, causing about $10m (£7.5m) in damage.
The flood – on 19 August – was caused by heavy rainfall, and knocked down walls, swept away objects and destroyed centuries-old books and documents.
At the time, Suffolk County – where the library is located – and New York State declared a state of emergency, opening the door for federal assistance to help the rebuild effort.
In a post on its website, the library said the building will remain closed “until further notice… while we continue to assess the damage and begin to rebuild”.