Updated: Informational message from Alert Carolina on preparations and precautions for Hurricane Florence

Updated Sept. 16 at 7:55 p.m.

The University is currently operating in Condition 1 and will remain in Condition 1 until 8 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 18. Classes remain canceled for the evening of Monday, Sept. 17.

The University will resume normal operations (including classes) at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 18.

Even with our campus resuming normal operations, there may be lengthy periods of clean-up in other areas around the state and region, displaced and/or separated families, travel delays for students returning to campus and communities coping with physical and emotional trauma and exhaustion.

Students, faculty and staff should make the best decision for themselves in their individual circumstances on whether it is safe to return to campus.

Faculty are encouraged to be flexible and considerate as you work with impacted students to navigate missed classes, late assignments and rescheduling of exams. If you have questions, please contact the Office of the Dean of Students at dos@unc.edu.

Faculty and staff who are not able to return should notify their department chair or supervisor. Chairs and supervisors are encouraged to be flexible and understanding, where possible.

Students who are unable to attend class due to Hurricane Florence should notify their faculty member. If additional assistance is needed, call or email the Office of the Dean of Students for individualized guidance and support.

Update from Sept. 15 at 6:10 p.m.

The University is currently operating in Condition 2 and will remain in Condition 2 until 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 16.

The University will Move to Condition 1 at 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 16. Classes are canceled for Monday, Sept. 17.

Current conditions locally may not pose severe safety risks or logistical challenges, but Hurricane Florence continues to negatively affect travel across the state. Motorists have been asked by the North Carolina Governor Cooper and NC DOT officials to remain off roads—particularly in eastern NC—until they are deemed safe. As such, classes remain suspended on Monday, Sept. 17. Employees and faculty should consider their own personal circumstances to determine whether to report late, leave early, or not report at all on Monday, Sept 17.

Information for faculty and staff:

• Non-mandatory employees, after informing their supervisors in a timely manner, have the option to report to work late, leave early, or not report to work. These employees must use available personal leave time (compensatory, vacation or bonus) to cover any time away from regular work hours.
• Alternatively, and only with supervisor approval, these employees may be permitted to work from home or alternate sites when, in the supervisor’s discretion, it is feasible and safe for this to occur. Employees working away from campus do not use leave. Even so, such arrangements may not be practicable for all types of employees or during every type of adverse weather or emergency event.
• Mandatory employees (whose presence has been designated mandatory to University operations during adverse weather or emergency events) are expected to report to work or remain on the job, and if deemed necessary by their supervisor, to work a differing schedule or shift than normally assigned.
• Faculty and staff who are not able to return should notify their department chair or supervisor. Chairs and supervisors are encouraged to be flexible and understanding, where possible.
• NOTE: These changes are specific to the UNC-Chapel Hill campus and are independent of the UNC-Chapel Hill Institute of Marine Sciences in Morehead City, NC.

Information for students:
We recognize that other parts of the state and region were more heavily impacted by Hurricane Florence than Chapel Hill. The safety of our campus community is our highest priority and we recognize that not all students may be able to return to campus by Tuesday. Students who are unable to attend class due to Hurricane Florence should notify their faculty members and can call or email the Office of the Dean of Students for individualized guidance and support as needed. Faculty are encouraged to be flexible and work with impacted students to navigate missed classes, late assignments and rescheduling of exams.

Update from Sept. 14 at 1:45 p.m.

We have started to feel the effects of Hurricane Florence, including wind and rain. We may be spared the worst of the storm, but there is still a high likelihood for falling branches, trees and power lines. Inland flooding is also a concern for the surrounding area – do not attempt to walk or drive through standing water.

It is important to stay where you have sheltered and exercise caution at all times.

The University remains in Condition 2 until 5 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 16. That means all non-mandatory operations are suspended and non-essential employees should not report to work.

Officials will assess damage to campus and the surrounding area once it is safe to do so and will closely monitor flooding on roadways around the state. We will communicate an update by 2 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 15. Any timely alerts will be sent through the Alert Carolina system in the meantime.

Those who have left campus should not return until there is an announcement about University conditions and classes. Please stay where you are.

Resource updates for students, faculty and staff:

Dining

Chase Dining Hall is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday, Sept. 14 – Sunday, Sept. 16. For more updates visit:https://dining.unc.edu/news/hurricaneflorence/

Housing/Student Life

• All students should keep a close eye on their email for important updates from student affairs.
• In the event of a power outage, your brass key will unlock the front entry door to your dormitory building.

Emergency Shelters

Orange County has opened two emergency shelters for any displaced residents. View that information.

UNC Police

UNC Police are on campus and prepared to respond to emergency calls. Please only call 911 for emergencies. The non-emergency line for police is 919-962-8100. If the wind speeds present an unsafe situation, emergency services will be suspended until conditions improve.

Reporting Issues and Hurricane Tips

Building, utility and grounds issues should be reported as follows:

• For staff and faculty:
  • To report water leaks, building flooding, non-life-threatening building damage or downed trees, call 919-962-3456.
  • To report power or utility loss, call 919-962-8100 (UNC Police Dispatch).
  • For serious building damage or other conditions that could be a safety threat, call 9-1-1.
• For students:
  • To report power or utility loss, call 919-962-8100 (UNC Police Dispatch).
  • To report water leaks, residence hall flooding, non-life-threatening building damage or downed trees, contact your Resident Advisor or call 919-962-3456.
• For serious building damage or other conditions that could be a safety threat, call 9-1-1.
• If you see a broken water main or overflowing manhole in the street: Avoid the area and call 9-1-1.

Visit ready.gov/hurricanes or readync.org to review hurricane safety tips.

 Parking

• Parking regulations remain suspended. Do not park in reserved/disability spaces or fire lanes.
• The Dogwood Deck is expressly reserved for hospital patients and visitors ONLY.

Transportation

Point-to-Point (P2P)

• All P2P Operations remain closed until conditions improve.

PASS Cart Services

• PASS Cart operations remain closed until conditions improve.

Park & Ride

• Alerts and updates can be found at CHT Adverse Weather Alerts.

Athletic Events

All UNC athletic events through Sunday have been canceled. Visit GoHeels.com for the latest information.

Update from Sept. 11 at 8 p.m.

The forecast for Hurricane Florence continues to show severe impacts for the Chapel Hill and the surrounding area, including the potential for flash flooding and wind damage.

All students are strongly encouraged to leave Chapel Hill before the storm hits.

For students with no relocation options, emergency response officials will be on campus and ready to assist if there is a threat to safety. Student Affairs will be in touch directly with students who remain in the residence halls with more specific instructions and information.

The University will be in Condition 2 beginning 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 12. That means all non-mandatory operations are suspended and non-essential employees should not report to work. All student workers are considered non-essential and should be encouraged to leave the area.

Before leaving campus, employees should unplug electronics and throw away any perishable food. Please safety store or take any valuable items with you.

Resource updates for students, faculty and staff:

Dining

Wednesday, Sept. 12

• Chase Dining Hall and Top of Lenoir will be open until 7 p.m.
• All other dining facilities will close at 5 p.m.

Thursday, Sept. 13

• Chase Dining Hall and Top of Lenoir will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 14 – Sunday, Sept. 16

• Chase Dining Hall will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Housing

• Students who are staying in the residence halls during the storm should indicate that by responding to the housing email sent earlier today.
• Limited housing staff will remain in the residence halls with students.
• Students who are leaving their residence hall for the storm should unplug all electronics and throw away any perishable food items in the event of a power surge or outage.
• Students who live on the first floor of a residence hall are encouraged to remove items from the floor in case of flooding.

Emergency Shelters

Orange County is opening two emergency shelters for any displaced residents. That information can be found on the Town of Chapel Hill’s website.

UNC Police

UNC Police will remain on campus and are prepared to respond to emergency calls. Please only call 911 for emergencies. The non-emergency line for police is 919-962-8100. If the wind speeds present an unsafe situation, emergency services will be suspended until conditions improve.

Safety Check In and Tips

You are encouraged to use the American Red Cross Safe and Well List website so you can make plans about communicating during adverse weather. This site will help you know how to get a “safe and well” message in an emergency. Please register in advance of the storm at redcross.org/safeandwell website.

Visit ready.gov/hurricanes or readync.org to review basic information about how to prepare for a hurricane.

Parking

• Wednesday Sept. 12: Parking regulations will be in effect until 5:00 p.m.
• Thursday, Sept. 13 and Friday, Sept. 14: Parking regulations will be suspended.
• The S11 lots along Skipper Bowles Drive will be available to commuters impacted by disrupted transit operations.
• The Dogwood Deck is expressly reserved for hospital patients and visitors ONLY.

Transportation

Point-to-Point (P2P)

• All P2P Operations will be suspended on Thursday, Sept. 13 and remain closed until conditions improve.

PASS Cart Services

• PASS Cart operations will be suspended on Thursday, Sept. 13 remain closed until conditions improve.

Park & Ride

• Alerts and updates can be found at CHT Adverse Weather Alerts.

Athletic Events

All UNC athletic events through Sunday have been canceled. Visit GoHeels.com for the latest information.

Update from Sept. 10 at 8:55 p.m.

Due to forecasted impacts from Hurricane Florence, the University will move to Condition 1 (Reduced Operations) of its adverse weather plan at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 11. At 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 12, the University will move to Condition 2 (Suspended Operations) and remain at Condition 2 until 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 16.

In addition, classes will be canceled beginning at 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday to allow students to travel home if they are able.

All students are strongly encouraged to leave the Chapel Hill area before the storm hits. Anyone who is traveling out of the path of the storm should do so no later than Wednesday evening.

The residence halls will remain open for students who live on campus and are not able to travel home. Details on dining and other campus services will be communicated in the near future.

Decisions regarding planned athletic events will be announced at a later time. Visit GoHeels.com for updates.

Posted Sept. 10 at 1:45 p.m.

The National Weather Service predicts that North Carolina may feel the effects of Hurricane Florence in the coming days. The impacts on specific areas within North Carolina, including the Triangle area, remain uncertain.

University officials are closely monitoring reports from emergency management agencies and state officials and taking precautions to keep the campus community safe and well-informed about changes in weather conditions that may impact the local area.

There are no current changes to campus operations. However, if conditions change, look for announcements on unc.edu, alertcarolina.unc.edu, and through other communications including email and text messages. If you have not registered your cell phone to receive text messages about emergencies from the University, go to alertcarolina.unc.edu and click on “Register” in the banner. You can also download LiveSafe, the University’s emergency safety app. For more information, visit police.unc.edu/carolinasafe/livesafe.

We also remind everyone that weather conditions such as this can produce dangerous situations on roadways and sidewalks, and if conditions worsen, downed powerlines and tree branches could occur. Be cautious of flooded walkways and roadways and do not approach downed powerlines. Stay away from storm drains and drainage systems: turn around, don’t drown. Also, watch for missing manhole covers or other ground-level dangers. Stay inside if these serious conditions are encountered.

We also encourage you to tell family and friends now about the American Red Cross Safe and Well List website, so they will know how to get your “safe and well” message in an emergency. In the event of an emergency, you can register on the redcross.org/safeandwell website.

In addition, we urge everyone to visit ready.gov/hurricanes or readync.org to review basic information about how to prepare for a hurricane.

For more campus safety information, visit alertcarolina.unc.edu.

In the event of an emergency on campus, please call 911. In a non-emergency, contact UNC Police at 919-962-8100.