August 28, 2011 | Combined Reports - UConn Communications

Hurricance Irene: Emergency Announcement to Storrs Campus only

The University reminds students to take proper safety precautions as Hurricane Irene approaches.

To the University Community:

Hurricane Irene is expected to make landfall in Stamford, CT around 11:00 Sunday morning. The Storrs area should begin to experience tropical force winds late tonight into early Sunday morning. The heavy rain and tropical force winds will continue until late Sunday afternoon. In anticipation of the damage that the State of Connecticut is expected to experience due to the hurricane, Governor Dannel P. Malloy has signed a Declaration of Emergency for the State of Connecticut.

Students, staff, faculty and visitors in the Storrs area are reminded of the following safety precautions they should consider in advance of Hurricane Irene:

  • Governor Malloy has issued an advisory that all travel be completed by dark on Saturday night.
  • UConn students should remain in their residence halls during the storm.
  • Certain residential dormitory elevators will cease to operate as of midnight Saturday night as a precautionary measure; the UConn Fire Department keeps a listing of all non-ambulatory students who live in residence halls and will assist them should evacuation become necessary. Should a non-ambulatory student require any assistance while elevators are shut down, they should call their Hall Director or the Fire Department at 6-4925. If an emergency, call 911.
  • All downed power lines should be treated as dangerous and can be deadly within 50 feet; do not approach any downed line or tree that is touching a downed line.
  • The UConn Police and Fire Departments will remain fully operational and at maximum staffing throughout the weekend.
  • During hurricane conditions all windows should be closed and locked. Blinds should also be drawn.
  • Students may not burn candles in any campus building.
  • If power is lost, it is likely that the only electronic method of communication available for the university to communicate with students, faculty and staff will be text message. In light of that, make sure all cell phones are fully charged and avoid using them unnecessarily.

It is anticipated, based on the current forecast, that the Storrs area will start to see improving weather conditions Sunday night. As conditions improve, personnel will begin to assess the damage caused by the storm and will work to restore normal operations to the University community.