Thursday, May 31, 2018

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has released its forecast for the 2018 Atlantic Hurricane Season, which runs June 1-Nov. 30.

As a coastal university, UNCW’s Environmental Health and Safety Department stresses the need for all students and employees to have personal preparedness plans and be aware of emergency procedures and campus communications. University officials work throughout the year to keep UNCW aligned with federally compliant hurricane procedures and the campus community informed of delays, closings and other weather-related information.

Modern storm-tracking services offer useful information for planning several days in advance. Additionally, UNCW works with area emergency management agencies and officials to help ensure a coordinated response to a hurricane or other emergency. With thousands of students, faculty and staff on campus, emergency officials try to make evacuation decisions in time to allow at least six to eight hours of daylight available for driving or preparations.

In the event of tropical weather in the vicinity of the UNCW main campus or satellite locations, the university may use a variety of communications tools to disseminate emergency information and to announce closings or cancellations.

UNCW Emergency Communication Tools Include:

• UNCW homepage
• Mass campus emails, phone calls and/or text messages
• UNCW Facebook
• UNCW Twitter
• UNCW Alert website
• UNCW Alert hotline: 910.962.3991 or toll-free at 888.657.5751
• Campus entrance marquee
• Local media outlets

Student Notifications:
Effective spring 2018, student phone numbers are automatically registered to receive UNCW Alert emergency notifications by voice and text message. Students should follow these instructions to review or update their contact numbers. UNCW strongly encourages students to remain in the service to ensure they are always automatically contacted in the event of an emergency, but individuals may opt out by following these instructions.

Faculty/Staff Notifications:
Only faculty and staff who have voluntarily registered their cell phone numbers with the university will receive UNCW Alert emergency text messages and voicemails. UNCW strongly encourages faculty and staff to register for these alerts. Please see these instructions (PDF) to register for the service, change contact numbers or opt out.

Hurricane-Related Resources:

• NOAA National Hurricane Center
• Hurricane Information from EH&S

-- Caroline Cropp

#EH&S
#BA