Update as of 10/26/12 at 3:00 pm
As the weekend is upon us, Residential Life would like to make you aware of possible impending weather conditions late on Sunday and into early next week that will affect all
of
UMBC's campus, including our residence halls.
Hurricane Sandy currently is tracking along the eastern coast of the United States and is expected to impact our area within the next 72 hours. The University Police will be responsible for all emergency notification to all UMBC personnel, including students, but as our residents we want to provide you with early information in preparation for possible strong weather. Below is information related to hurricanes and protocol you should follow as directed by either the University Police or any Residential Life staff personnel. Please take any appropriate steps before you leave for the weekend. If you have questions contact Residential Life or your community front desk.
Please check your phone mail, email, and the UMBC safety website www.umbc.edu/safety for updates as they relate to UMBC.
We ask that you stay up to date on information and take note of the following items:
A HURRICANE WATCH indicates the possibility that we could experience high winds, hail, flash flooding, or a tornado within 36 hours. At that time you should:
- Stay up to date on all weather information by watching local television, listening to the radio, or logging onto websites suggested on www.umbc.edu/safety.
- Keep your windows closed (if they cannot close, call 5-3948 or your front desk as soon as possible)
- Bring together items you may need for a 12-hour period of time (flashlight with batteries, bottled water, necessary medications, battery operated radio, a charged cell phone, a jacket, blanket and pillow, books, ID, wallet, purse, etc.) Other precautions may be viewed at www.fema.gov.
- Unplug all electronic equipment that is not in use.
- For fire safety reasons, do not plan on using candles or other sources of fire.
A HURRICANE WARNING indicates that sustained winds of at least 74 mph, hail, flash flooding, or tornadoes may occur within 24 hours or less. Once this warning has been issued, you should be aware of the safest location to be during the storm. You should also:
- Keep your windows closed.
- Close and lock all bedroom doors. Take your key and ID with you.
- Do not use elevators, even if the power is still on.
- Stay away from windows and glass.
- DO NOT pull the fire alarm.
- Move to the lowest level or inner hallway, away from windows and corners.
If ELECTRICAL POWER is lost, stay calm and listen for Residential Life (RA, CD) instructions.
- Hallways, stairwells, bedrooms, and bathrooms will be dark until power is restored.
- UMBC will be providing as much generator back up power as possible.
- Use a flashlight, DO NOT LIGHT CANDLES.
- Fire alarms and card access will not work. RAs and CDs will start a firewatch in which they will make rounds throughout the buildings.
- Listen for the sound of an air horn (that is what Staff will use to alert you to evacuate if needed)
- Elevators, air conditioning, heating/hot water will not be operational until power is restored.
- Keep your refrigerator and freezer closed in order to help prevent food from spoiling.
If University officials (with the assistance of the National Weather Service) identify the storm as a low risk to the UMBC campus you should be aware of the Shelter In Place Policy. Residential Life Staff may advise residents to do the following:
Chesapeake, Susquehanna, Potomac, Patapsco:
- Close your windows.
- Close and lock your door. Stay within the hallways and away from the windows at the end of the halls.
Erickson, Walker, Harbor:
- Close your windows.
- Close and lock your door. Stay within the portions of the hallway without windows.
West Hill, Terrace, Hillside Apartments
- Close all windows.
- Lock all bedroom doors.
- Move to the inner hallway or bathroom, away from windows with all doors closed.
If University officials (with the assistance of the National Weather Service) identify the storm as a risk to the UMBC campus, residents should Shelter In Place immediately. Residential Life Staff will advise you to do the following:
Chesapeake, Susquehanna, Potomac, Patapsco:
- Close your windows.
- Close and lock your door. Stay within the hallways and away from the windows at the end of the halls.
Erickson, Walker, Harbor Top Floors:
- Close your windows.
- Close and lock your door. Take the stairs to a lower floor.
- Stay within the portions of the hallway without windows.
Erickson, Walker, Harbor Lower Floors:
- Close your windows.
- Close and lock your door. Stay within the portions of the hallway without windows.
West Hill, Terrace, Hillside Apartments 3rd Floor
- Close all windows.
- Lock your bedroom doors
- Move to a 2nd or 1st floor apartment.
- Gather in the hallways of the apartment away from windows and with the doors closed.
West Hill, Terrace, Hillside Apartments 2nd and 3rd Floors
- Close all windows.
- Lock all bedroom doors.
- Move to the inner hallway away from windows with all doors closed.
- Move to the inner hallway or bathroom away from windows with all doors closed.
If University officials (with the assistance of the National Weather Service) identify the storm as a severe risk to the UMBC campus, some residents may need to be evacuated to other buildings on campus. The decision to evacuate will come and be coordinated through the University Police and the Environmental Health and Safety Office. Residents should not evacuate any building until University Staff notify residents to do so.
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