Hurricane Florence has been downgraded to Category 2 storm and continues toward the Carolinas’ coasts while the Catawba College campus is making final preparations for the potential effects of this storm. Many residential students have departed campus after learning on Wednesday that classes would be cancelled on both Thursday and Friday, and that weekend athletic competitions for football, volleyball, and the soccer teams were also cancelled.
While College staff are at work today, non-essential staff are not required to work on Friday, and a majority of campus offices will be closed. Essential staff members in Student Affairs, Public Safety, Facilities, and Information Technology will be available throughout the duration of this weather event.
Catawba’s Emergency Response Group met this morning to share updates from respective areas and to finalize preparations before the arrival of high winds and heavy rains anticipated this weekend. Cleaning of storm drains on campus and removal or securing of outdoor furniture and signage are in process.
Residential students who choose to remain and shelter-in-place can be assured that the campus will be operational with food service, public safety, and essential personnel available to them throughout the timeframe of the storm. Residential students who returned to their homes have informed resident assistants in their residence halls of their plans.
The personal safety of Catawba’s students, faculty and staff is of upmost concern to college administrators, and members of the campus community are encouraged to use their best judgment when making decisions about traveling to and from campus. Residential students on campus during the storm are encouraged to limit their time outside to travel between their residence hall and the Cannon Student Center, where dining facilities are located. If the campus loses power, a daily curfew of 8 p.m. will be in place for residential students who remain on campus.
Due to potential for dangerous conditions caused by heavy rains and wind, Frock Athletic Fields and the Catawba Ecological Preserve will be closed to members of the campus community beginning at 8 p.m. Thursday evening and will remain closed until after the effects of Hurricane Florence subside. The parking lot adjacent to Newman Park and Shuford Stadium will also be closed to all persons beginning at 8 p.m. Thursday.
Catawba’s Emergency Response Group will continue to meet daily to assess the impact of Hurricane Florence on the campus. Should the impact be such that classes are cancelled next week, members of the campus community will be notified by a CatawbAlert or by monitoring the website at www.catawba.edu and the college’s social media platforms.
