HURRICANE INSTRUCTIONS FOR RESIDENTS
If a hurricane is approaching the Tampa Bay area the Housing & Residential Education staff will make every effort to alert residents.
Depending on the storm's path and whether the university decides to cancel classes or close, a follow-up decision may be
made to close all on-campus housing and evacuate all residents. If classes are cancelled or the campus closed and the decision
is made not to evacuate housing, the residents may still be directed to move to other locations within the buildings as
the potential for flooding increases.
In the event of a hurricane when classes are cancelled residents are encouraged to evacuate to their homes. Most students
and families prefer to be together during a serious storm.
If a hurricane of category 3 or higher is approaching the Tampa Bay area FROM THE GULF OF MEXICO and the university cancels
classes or closes, on-campus housing will be closed and a mandatory evacuation plan will be implemented. All residents will
be required to leave. Residents will be directed to go home, stay with friends off-campus, or be directed to a local Hillsborough
County Shelter. For residents without transportation the university will provide shuttle service to the shelters.
No students will be permitted to stay on-campus and the buildings will remain closed until the All Clear is given and the reopening is announced to the community.
Students are requested to keep their radios tuned to a local station or the campus radio station (WUSF 89.7 FM) for storm advisories and general information.
The following procedures are recommended in order to provide the maximum amount of safety and protection for those students remaining in our residence halls.
The University, however, is not responsible for damages to or loss of personal property because of a hurricane.
Preparation Before the Hurricane Strikes
- All furniture, including beds, should be pulled away from the windows. Belongings should be placed off the floor, preferably in a closet.
- Since the floors can get wet, all articles such as shoes, rugs, clothes bags, suitcases, etc., should be placed on closet shelves or in dresser drawers.
Ground floor residents should put all belongings off the floor and be prepared to evacuate upstairs in the event of flooding.
- All loose objects should be placed in drawers or closets. Paper, books, etc., should not be left on tops of desks or dressers.
- Valuables should be placed in safekeeping. The closets and drawers should be closed throughout the hurricane. All doors should be locked when the
occupants are not in the room or apartment.
- Clean and fill wastebaskets with water. If the hurricane is a serious storm, our water supply may be cut off. If this were the case, the water stored would
be needed for washing and flushing toilets. Fill several smaller containers with water for drinking purposes. If more drinking water is needed it will be made
available through the Resident Assistant as soon as possible. Refrigerators should be turned to the coldest setting.
- All windows must be closed tightly. All window blinds should be closed.
- Any resident who owns a car should see that the emergency brake is set and in reverse gear (standard transmission) or park. All windows should be closed
and the car locked. All cars must remain in assigned parking areas.
- Each student should provide their own flashlight in case of power failure. DO NOT USE CANDLES OR OTHER FLAME-TYPE LIGHTING UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES;
FIRE CANNOT BE RESPONDED TO DURING A HURRICANE. Use battery-powered lighting only!
- Residents should provide their own snack items, such as crackers, cookies, etc. When it is possible to do so, the dining hall personnel will provide food within
the Residence Halls or apartments when it is impossible for the students to come to the dining hall. If food must be brought to the halls or apartments,
the Housing & Residential Education Staff will notify all students of the schedule and place of serving. Do not cook with charcoal or flame as poisonous fumes are released
and could be lethal in a confined area.
- RESIDENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO GO TO THEIR HOMES OR OUT OF THE PATH OF THE STORM AFTER SIGNING-OUT WITH A MEMBER OF THE HOUSING & RESIDENTIAL EDUCATION STAFF.
Procedures During the Hurricane
- It is essential that all residents stay indoors throughout the entire hurricane. Residents must not leave their living units until directed to do so by the
Housing & Residential Education Staff. During the peak of the storm, for maximum protection, residents are to close room or bedroom doors and remain in the hallways. If you
are not familiar with a hurricane, be aware that there is always a lull in the storm when the eye passes through the area. Once the eye passes through, the storm
begins again, but from the opposite direction. For your protection, stay INDOORS!
- Residents should plan to be in the interior corridors of the residence halls and remain away from danger areas, such as the glass windows and doors in the lobby
areas of the halls or the bedrooms for many hours.
- In the event of power failure, there will be no elevator service. Do not attempt to travel between floors. First Aid and/or food service will be made available
when the storm passes or power is restored.
- Do not attempt to open windows or doors to see what is happening outside.
- Report all accidents, injuries, broken windows, or excessive water to the Resident Assistant.
- Telephone calls should be made only in case of an emergency, such as those mentioned in item No. 5.
- "Hurricane Parties" are only for the movies. Please do not drink alcohol. Everyone needs to think clearly during a hurricane.
If everyone remains calm, stays inside and observes all of the above instructions and precautions, danger will be minimized. If anyone has any questions,
please contact a staff member.
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