Emergency Hurricane Procedures

Hurricane Watch (June 1st - November 30th)

Emergency Preparation (Possible hurricane within 24 hours)

1. A. Upon notification to the Director of Residence Life of a “Hurricane Watch,” the Director will disseminate information to appropriate Central Housing and Residence Life staff and to residents.


1. When notified, all Central Office staff, including Area Coordinators, should accomplish the following actions:
1. Clear desktops, tables and other horizontal surfaces of all paper and other articles susceptible to water damage in case windows are broken.
2. Protect books, valuable papers and equipment by covering with plastic sheeting and masking tape if available – otherwise protect by storing inside cabinets, files, or boxes (with openings taped) or remove to interior rooms.
3. If you can, move desks, file cabinets, worktables and bookcases away from windows or open doorways. This may require emptying the contents, then moving, and finally replacing the contents.
4. If windows are open – shut, close and latch them.
5. Drop all Venetian blinds and close the slats.
6. Close and lock all doors.
7. Turn off lights and electrical equipment. Check the kitchen area – be sure to unplug equipment such as hot plates and coffee makers. Turn off air conditioners.
8. All equipment, which can be moved, and all important papers on the floor should be moved, if possible.


2. Maintenance Personnel Responsibilities:
1. Loose materials around each Housing Complex should be secured within buildings, tied down or disposed of.
2. Large windows and sliding glass doors should be boarded up.
3. Assist Central Office Staff in securing office areas.
4. Stockpile emergency supplies.


3. Area Coordinators Responsibilities
1. a. The Area Coordinator staff is required to help with the evacuation of campus and provide coverage in shelters or designated areas of campus.
2. Area Coordinators meet with the Director of Residence Life or his/her designee and formulate plan of action with Residence Life professional staff. Items to discuss: possible evacuation plans, things to do to prepare for hurricane, RA Meeting, distribution of flyers, transportation plans for shelter, collecting information on residents and their plans, contact numbers for all Residence Life professional and RA staffs, what needs to be done once staff returns to campus, etc.
3. Area Coordinators will assist in scheduling a mandatory emergency meeting with Resident Assistant staff to outline steps that need to be taken to prepare for hurricane and share update information regarding campus evacuation.
4. Area Coordinators will explain to RAs that they are needed to remain on-campus to assist with early preparations for natural disasters including: hurricanes, tornadoes, droughts, floods, etc; If residents are moved to shelters on or off-campus, some RAs are expected to assist at these shelters (RAs will not be placed in danger).
5. Hurricane Supplies and Forms: check flashlights and have extra batteries on-hand, give out Hurricane Evacuation Resident Information forms to Resident Assistant staff which they will use to record resident information regarding their evacuation plans/needs, and distribute Hurricane information flyers.
6. Area Coordinator staff will disseminate information to Resident Assistants.


4. Director of Residence Life Staff or designee's Responsibilities:
• Determine if there will be any transportation for residents to local shelters should a “Hurricane Warning” be announced, and disseminate information from the Crisis Management Team.

If Hurricane is more than a Category 1 (Hurricane Warning)

1. All residents and staff living on-campus will be required to evacuate if more than a category 1 Hurricane Warning is announced.
1. Residents with transportation should leave campus.
2. Residents without a place to evacuate will be directed to the UNF shelter.
3. Residents with vehicles should remove them from the campus because of possible damage to the vehicles resulting from flooding or park vehicles on the third level of the UNF parking garages.
4. Residents should inform their RA as to their evacuation plan (i.e., location and phone number).

Information for Residents

Preparing for a Hurricane

Before residents evacuate, there are preparations they should take to protect their room/apartment and personal property. When a hurricane watch is issued, residents should:

1. Provide your contact information to your RA.
2. Fill your car with gas. If the storm strikes, service stations will be inoperative due to flooding and power outages. Check your battery, oil, water and tire pressure.
3. Refill prescription medication whenever possible.
4. Check batteries for your radio and flashlights. Have extras on hand.
5. If you have a bicycle on campus, bring it indoors to a designated area.
6. Do not tape your windows. Tape will not prevent windows from breaking.
7. Turn your refrigerator to the coldest setting. Unplug all other appliances.
8. Do not leave anything on the floor in case of flooding.
9. Pull in all loose items from balconies, stairways, and courtyards.

Evacuation

Before leaving your room/apartment, if evacuation is necessary, you should:

1. Take important papers with you (birth certificate, passport, drivers license, etc.).
2. Unplug all appliances except refrigerators and move them off of the floor if possible.
3. Lock all doors and windows.
4. Take supplies or items you may need during a hurricane.
5. Proceed to your shelter destination with extra care, as traffic will be heavy and moving slower than usual.
6. Listen to the radio and follow routes recommended by authorities. Watch for hazards such as downed electrical lines, debris, floodwater, washed out roadways and bridges.
7. If you leave campus before an evacuation is called, you must inform your family or friends AND your Resident Assistant.

Shelter Supplies

If you will be evacuating to a public shelter, it is important that you bring with you some basic items. You should bring supplies that will sustain you for a minimum of 48 hours, which include:

• Water
• Non-perishable food
• Prescription medication
• Sleeping Gear (sleeping, blankets, pillows, etc.)
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Change of Clothes
• Personal hygiene items (toothbrush/paste, hairbrush, shampoo, soap, etc.)
• Optional: playing cards, books/magazines, inexpensive entertainment, etc.
• DO NOT BRING jewelry or other valuable items

Residents should find transportation to a shelter. Shelter transportation may not be provided.

After the Hurricane

For updates about campus status after the hurricane, students should contact 904-620-1000 for more information.

• Do not leave shelter or your emergency accommodations until the “ALL CLEAR” has been given. Follow instructions from Civil Defense or Division of Emergency Management Personnel broadcast over the radio.
• Use caution in returning to campus. Don’t sightsee. Avoid downed or dangling power lines.
• Be particularly careful of snakes, animals, and insects that may have been driven to high ground by water.
• Report serious utility problems such as gas leaks, broken water main, and live power lines as soon as possible.
• Stay away from downed power lines, standing water near fallen wires, and broken glass. Open windows and doors and let air circulate.
• Report any safety hazards.
• Thoroughly inspect electrical appliances before using them.
• Conserve refrigeration by opening the refrigerator door as little as possible while electrical power is disrupted.
• Listen to the local radio station for advice and instructions. Do not leave your room/apartment unless absolutely necessary.

Other sources to check: University Webpage – www.unf.edu, Student Update/Campus Update, and www.Floridadisaster.org

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