Noon Saturday Update:
Erika has been downgraded from a tropical storm, and UCF expects normal operations at all campuses next week.
UCF will continue to monitor Erika and will alert you of any major updates. The National Weather Service has advised to expect heavy rain and squally weather Sunday and Monday.
Please continue to monitor the weather and be mindful of your safety.
Hurricane season lasts until Nov. 30, so keep any supplies and continue to stay prepared.
Original Story:
UCF is monitoring Tropical Storm Erika, and we anticipate continuing normal operations this weekend based on the storm’s projected path.
Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center near Miami say that if Tropical Storm Erika far out in the Atlantic Ocean continues on its predicted path, it could gain intensity and make landfall as a hurricane along Florida’s east coast early next week.
UCF’s Office of Emergency Management is watching the developments to determine what precautions the university may need to make.
“We’re going to be monitoring it through the weekend and making some critical decisions Sunday,” said Jeffery Morgan, UCF’s director of Security and Emergency Management.
The UCF community will be notified Sunday about the status of campus classes and operations on Monday through UCF Alert and the UCF website. UCF Alert contact information can be updated through myUCF.
UCF will keep www.ucf.edu updated throughout the weekend with the latest information about the storm’s impact on UCF, including notices of any cancellations or closures. The status of classes and operations at UCF’s regional campuses typically follows the lead of our host state college partners. Announcements related to our regional campuses may be made at different times than the main campus.
In the meantime, now is the time to prepare for potential severe weather.
Use the weekend to stock up on nonperishable food, water, flashlights and other essentials. Secure your home and vehicle. Also be sure to refill any necessary prescriptions.
Students should let their community housing office know if they need any special accommodations. They should also keep parents and family members in the loop about storm plans.
Resources for preparedness, a guide for building an emergency kit, and instructions for seeking shelter are available at http://emergency.ucf.edu/hurricanes.html.