Severe Weather

When Traveling to Campus

• Leave extra time to make commutes.
• Do not attempt to drive through standing water.
• Do not circumvent barricades on campus; they are for your safety.
• Students should use their best judgment and notify their instructors if they are unable to attend class.
• Faculty and staff should refer to the Adverse Weather Policy and contact their supervisors with similar questions or concerns.

Areas On-Campus Likely to Flood

Be aware on campus, and adjacent to campus, areas that are likely to be closed due to high water:

• Wagoner Drive in the area of Kenan Auditorium.
• The intersection of Reynolds and Cahill Drives.
• New Center Drive
• Seahawk Landing.
• Honors Hall Parking Lot.
• Parking Lots E, H, and I.

Take Caution

• Relocate vehicles from flood-prone areas.
• Use alternate entrances to campus away from flood-prone areas, including the Hurst Drive entrance off College Road or Hamilton Drive from MacMillan.
• Park on the second level or higher of the parking garage.
• Avoid using the pedestrian crossing at Reynolds and Cahill; use Chancellor's Walk instead.

Seek Status Updates Here

• UNCW website
• UNCW Alert site
• UNCW Alert Emergency Information Hotline - 910.962.3991 or 888.657.5751
• Weather information from local media

What you need to know!

While winter storms in Wilmington are rare, it does affect UNCW occasionally. Students, faculty, and staff should be prepared if winter weather hits.

It is the policy of UNCW to maintain normal operations to the extent that this can be accomplished in a safe manner during conditions of snow and ice.

If we have snow and/or ice, the Chancellor and Crisis Decision Team will make a determination of the severity of the weather and if the University will officially close or have a delayed opening.

To find out about UNCW closings and delayed openings, call the Emergency Information Hotline at 910.962.3991 or toll-free at 888.657.5751, check the UNCW homepage and safety website, check your e-mail, and pay close attention to local media.

Priority will be given to supporting essential services including supporting students in residence.

• Residential buildings are first priority when restoring telecommunications, electricity, HVAC, and plumbing.
• Campus Dining will ensure that there are adequate stocks of food supplies on hand for students who live on campus.

View the Winter Storm Preparedness Brochure from the Red Cross.

After winter weather has occurred, UNCW emergency personnel will work to ensure the campus is safe and free of ice and snow on roadways and building entrances.

The Wilmington area is sure to experience extremely hot weather this summer. Please take special precautions to avoid heat-related illness in unusually hot weather when working outdoors or in unconditioned indoor environments.

Heat-related illness is preventable by following the guidelines and tips on these websites when working outdoors in hot weather.

Follow these tips adapted from Be Safe in Hot Weather by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill:

• Drink small amounts of cool water frequently, regardless of your activity level.
• Drink throughout the day.
• Replace salt and minerals. A sports beverage can replace the salt and minerals you lose in sweat.
• Wear appropriate clothing. Choose lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
• Protect yourself from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat.
• Sunglasses and sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher) are also recommended.
• Schedule outdoor work carefully. If outdoor work must be done in hot weather, try to limit it to morning hours.
• Limit sun exposure during mid-day hours.
• Consider rotating outdoor work schedules among co-workers.
• Pace yourself. Start slowly and pick up the pace gradually.
• Monitor yourself for signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses.
• Take time to cool down. Rest often in shady areas. A few hours in air conditioning can help you stay cooler for longer while in the heat.
• Use a buddy system. When working in the heat, monitor the condition of your co-workers and have someone do the same for you.
• Monitor those at high risk. Some people are at greater risk than others, including people:
  • Who are overweight
  • Who overexert themselves
  • With heart disease or high blood pressure
  • Who take certain medications

• Take time to acclimate to heat and humidity. A heat wave is stressful to your body. You will have a greater tolerance to heat if you limit physical activity until you become accustomed to it.