Hurricane Survival Guide 2006

Alberto, Beryl, Chris, Debby, Ernesto and Florence aren't the names of tourists battling for a spot on Wrightsville Beach, nor the names of fellow students, but they sure are cutting into beach and class time this year.

The names belong to hurricanes, and with Hurricane Ernesto paying a recent drenching visit, students may be wading through confusion concerning procedures and policies concerning hurricanes. Luckily for the UNCW student body, an emergency response team has been planning for students' safety before the hurricane season even began.

Anthony Jenkins, the associate dean of students, wrote in an e-mail interview that foregoing the hurricane season, which lasts from June 1-Nov. 30, a committee meets to review the "Hurricane Operations Plan."

"The team consists of members from various areas of campus such as the Dean of Students, Housing and Residence Life, Auxiliary Services, Human Resources, Student Health Services and the Physical Plant," Jenkins said. "Once the university has been notified or is aware of potential hurricanes that might impact the Wilmington area, the emergency response team is convened. At this point, the team is charged with completing a standard checklist of procedures."

This process is outlined in the "Hurricane Operations Plan," a manual which is used to appropriately respond to hurricanes and subsequent emergencies.

"The 'Hurricane Operations Plan' establishes procedures in preparation before, during and following a hurricane and particularly describes actions require for protecting university students, employees and property," Jenkins said.

He also noted that the committee considers several factors before deciding to cancel classes. Such factors include the severity of the storm, the proximity of the storm, the projected path of the storm, and when the storm is likely to make landfall. The university concerns itself with providing adequate trekking time for commuter students to safely travel home and has plans for students who choose to stay within the area.

"For those students who wish to remain in the area and need housing, the Office of the Dean of Students has established a list of host families who have graciously agreed to open their homes to our students," Jenkins said. "Students would only need to contact my office (ext. 3119) and request the service."

The university will elect to cancel classes if there is a shift from a hurricane "watch" to a "warning" or if weather threatens the safety of our students.

The difference in a hurricane watch and warning are quite significant. A hurricane watch translates to a possible hurricane landfall within the next 36 to 48 hours, while a hurricane warning means there is a likelihood of evacuation from campus within the next 24 hours. Jenkins advises students to begin checking e-mail, visit the university's Web site, and pay attention to the television or radio once a hurricane watch is issued.

Classes canceled due to hurricanes seem a lot more unique and exciting than the traditional snow day, which most students are accustomed to. Yet, Jenkins warns that hurricanes should be treated with caution.

"It is important to note that when the university moves to cancel classes, it is because we deem it appropriate and necessary for students to remain indoors and out of harm's way," he said. "This should not be taken as an opportunity to pull out the water boards and go swimming in the campus lakes. We need and expect our students to take such weather and university procedures seriously."

Hopefully Tropical Storm Florence won't continue to brew, but if Florence or another hurricane decides to pay a visit to campus, students should be prepared as to what actions to take.

Jenkins stressed the most important advice students can heed is to be alert.

"Listen, listen, listen and follow the directions university officials pass along. Our primary concern is your safety," Jenkins said.