The latest information and details for the University community about campus emergencies and other incidents.

Severe Weather Advisory – Hurricane Idalia

Wednesday, August 30, 2023 (2:00 P.M. EST)

Note: The safety of the NC Wesleyan University community is our highest priority. Faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to make decisions based on their own personal safety.

WEATHER STATUS

Hurricane Idalia has begun to cross the state of Florida and is weakening from a major hurricane to a Category 1 Hurricane. We still expect the system to downgrade to a tropical storm, move across Georgia’s coastline into South Carolina and go out to the Atlantic Ocean south of Wilmington, NC tomorrow afternoon.

The below is from Nash County Emergency Management:

• Today – A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 2pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 86. Southwest wind 5 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
• Tonight – Rain and possibly a thunderstorm before 4am, then rain between 4am and 5am, then rain and possibly a thunderstorm after 5am. Patchy fog before 8pm, then patchy fog after 10pm. Low around 66. Light and variable wind becoming northeast 10 to 15 mph in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Tomorrow’s prediction is rain, wind and a chance of thunderstorms.

UNIVERSITY STATUS

North Carolina Wesleyan University will operate on a normal schedule as no severe impacts are expected.

• Make sure we have your proper contact information.
• If you plan to go to the beach this holiday weekend, be aware of rip currents.
• Our campus buildings are sturdy structures. Should high winds come our way, follow the staff’s instructions and move to the center of hallways, well away from any glass. If you are on the third floor, move to a lower floor.
• If we have significant rainfall, trees could fall because of the ground being soaked and from high winds. Stay indoors for protection— flying debris, falling limbs, trees or downed power lines create significant risk.
• If we have a power loss, we will work with Dominion Energy and the City of Rocky Mount to restore power as soon as possible. CANDLES ARE PROHIBITED IN ALL CAMPUS BUILDINGS. Flashlights, battery-powered lanterns, or electronic devices may be used instead. If the power goes out, emergency lights at exits and stairwells will operate due to our emergency generator in all main buildings and residence halls. Emergency lighting is on battery backup at the Quad (Boddie, Jin, Bradley & Taylor Halls). Therefore, lighting in these buildings will stay on for a short period of time (approximately 90 minutes) but eventually will go out as well. In these cases, we will have battery lanterns to place in halls and stairwells.
• If you must go out in a vehicle, NEVER drive through a flooded road – Turn Around- Don’t Drown®. Freshwater drowning is the highest killer of all hurricane deaths, followed by electrocutions from stepping on downed power lines.
• One of the most dangerous aspects of these types of storms is their ability to spin up small, quickly forming, weak tornadoes without warning. If you hear a loud roar of wind or see debris in the air, seek immediate shelter in a low area of a structure and remain away from windows and doors. Areas for severe weather sheltering are marked throughout campus with green lettering on white signs.

VEHICLES
All students on campus are encouraged to move their cars to The Dunn Center parking lots. The Dunn Center is well-drained and has fewer trees in its vicinity, which will minimize branches falling on cars and any flooding concerns. However, DO NOT park in the lower northeast corner of the North Dunn Center lot, as it also floods, as well as the far northeast end of the Boddie Hall lot.

Security will be on duty 24 hours a day – if needed, call 252.406.7928.

FURTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS
North Carolina Wesleyan University’s emergency response team, led by Director of Safety Wayne Sears, is continuing to closely monitor and assess the impact Tropical Storm Idalia may have on the University. Weather updates and/or changes to this current plan will be communicated through Blackboard alerts, email, and social media. Recorded updates can also be obtained by calling 252.985.5463.

Note: The safety of the NC Wesleyan University community is our highest priority.