UNCW Officials Encourage Storm Readiness Ahead of Hurricane Season

Ahead of the Atlantic hurricane season (June 1-Nov. 30), the UNCW Department of Environmental Health and Safety and campus partners stress the importance of reviewing emergency procedures, campus communications awareness and personal preparedness plans. 

“Having a plan and knowing your plan is very beneficial for hurricane readiness,” said Jeff Campbell, director of EHS. “We are available to help with reviewing plans before storms arise.”  

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecasts an above average season. This summer, NOAA plans to implement a series of upgrades and improvements to run more complex models, extending the tropical cyclone graphic from five to seven days and improving storm surge forecasting. NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center will update the 2024 Atlantic seasonal outlook in early August, before the historical peak of the season.  

UNCW was the first university in North Carolina to receive the StormReady designation by the National Weather Service. As a Disaster Resistant University, the university practices emergency preparedness through education, mitigation projects and routine review of its emergency plans and procedures, so campus operations can continue with minimal interruption. 

Resources for the campus community: 

• UNCW Hurricane Information 
• Students/Families: UNCW's evacuation information 
• Employees: Adverse Weather Policy 

In the event of a weather or other safety-related emergency in the vicinity of the UNCW main campus or satellite locations, the university will utilize various communication tools to disseminate emergency information and/or announce potential impacts on classes, events or campus access. 

These tools include: 

• Campus emails 
• UNCW homepage: The official source of information and messages from the university. Visitors can access emergency-related news on the uncw.edu/alert page. Other units on campus may share the information posted on the homepage via their channels. Please rely on official university messaging during emergencies. The university may also utilize social media channels and other communications platforms to amplify weather messaging. 
• UNCW Alert text messages, phone calls, emails: Students are automatically registered; faculty and staff must opt-in via mySeaport. Parents and the public can sign up via the UNCW Alert notifications website. 
• The hotline (910.962.3991 or toll-free at 888.657.5751) is activated only in full-scale safety or weather emergencies. It reflects information already available via the online resources listed above and serves those who may not have easy web access. 

Additional Resources: 

• NOAA National Hurricane Center 
• UNCW Coastal Ocean Research Monitoring Program 
• UNCW Emergency Management