As Tropical Storm Helene approaches, the University of Georgia (UGA) is taking proactive steps to ensure the safety of students residing on campus. The storm, which is expected to strengthen into a hurricane, is forecasted to bring significant rainfall, damaging winds, and potential flooding to the Athens area beginning Thursday and continuing into Friday. In response, UGA is working closely with local and state authorities–as well as internal teams–to prepare the campus and minimize potential disruptions.
Collaborating to Ensure Safety
UGA’s top priority is the wellbeing of its students. The University’s Office of Emergency Preparedness (OEP) is actively coordinating with local, state, and federal agencies to track the storm’s development and assess its potential impact. From power outages to water intrusion, we are prepared to respond quickly and effectively to keep students and facilities safe.
Steps Students Have Been Asked to Take
UGA has communicated the following important steps to students living on campus. We encourage families to familiarize themselves with these preparations as well:
- Preparing for Power Outages:
- Charge Devices: Students have been asked to fully charge their phones, laptops, and other essential devices to stay connected in case of power outages.
- Flashlights, Not Candles: Residents should have a flashlight with fresh batteries on hand, as candles are prohibited in all residence halls and on-campus apartments.
- Preventing Flood Damage:
- Move Belongings: To protect their belongings from possible water intrusion, students are encouraged to move valuable items off the floors of their rooms.
- Secure Windows: Students have also been asked to close and lock all windows to minimize the risk of wind and water damage.
- Severe Weather Procedures:
- Stay Indoors: During severe weather, students are advised to remain indoors and away from windows. UGA has emphasized the importance of following instructions from University Housing, emergency personnel, or UGA Alert in case conditions worsen.
- Stay Informed: All updates regarding the university’s response, including possible class cancellations or campus closures, will be communicated through official channels. These include ArchNews emails, the UGA Alert system, and the University’s emergency website at emergency.uga.edu. Students have been reminded to monitor these sources closely, as well as local weather reports via weather.gov.
- Reporting Damage or Issues:
- Facilities Concerns: If students experience any facilities-related issues, such as water intrusion, they’ve been advised to report these immediately to their community desk or submit a work request so the university can respond promptly.
Keeping Parents and Families Informed
We understand that parents and families may be concerned about their students during severe weather events. UGA is committed to providing timely updates and ensuring that students remain informed and prepared. We encourage families to stay updated by regularly checking emergency.uga.edu, where real-time information on the storm and the University’s response will be posted. This website is a central hub for emergency notifications, and we recommend bookmarking it for quick access.
UGA will continue to communicate any further developments and provide updates as needed through its official channels. Rest assured that our staff is working around the clock to safeguard both students and the campus community. Should you have any concerns, the emergency website is your best source for the latest news.