Dear Campus Community,
Due to severe weather impacts expected from Tropical Storm Debby, the College of Charleston is suspending normal business operations for Tuesday, Aug. 6, and Wednesday, Aug. 7.
All College activities and events are canceled after 5 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 5, until further notice. Faculty members who have in-person exams scheduled for Monday and Tuesday should implement an alternate mode of final exam delivery (i.e., remotely), and communicate that as soon as possible to students.
Essential employees who are not required to remain on campus may be asked to work remotely as needed by division leadership. The College will resume normal operations and reopen facilities after the storm has passed and a post-storm assessment has been completed. Plans for resuming normal operations will be announced to campus at a later time.
Employees should secure offices and equipment according to their department’s emergency preparation plans. For resources on securing technology equipment, please visit the Information Technology Hurricane Preparedness Checklist on the Hub.
Further adjustments to schedules and/or work modes will be communicated through the Cougar Alert emergency notification system and at emergency.charleston.edu.
Essential services such as Public Safety and Facilities Management will remain operational for the duration of the storm.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM DEBBY
The primary concerns with this storm system are prolonged periods of heavy rain, flooding and tropical storm-force winds. Hurricane Debby has the potential to generate historic rainfall amounts of 10 to 20 inches, with local amounts approaching 30 inches. Highest rainfall totals will be across coastal South Carolina and Georgia, including Charleston. If these rainfall totals are realized, widespread severe flash flooding will occur. Please familiarize yourself with flood safety tips and resources provided by the National Weather Service.
The College’s Emergency Management Team remains in regular contact with local, county and state agencies. Please stay tuned to local news and monitor the latest updates from the National Weather Service. The city’s Tide Eye app is a valuable resource for tracking tide levels and road closures due to flooding.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
- Everyone should have a personal safety plan and be prepared for potential events such as power outages, flooding and downed tree limbs. Do not attempt to drive through high flood waters. Follow directions from law enforcement, emergency responders and College officials.
- For emergencies on or off campus, dial 911. To contact CofC Public Safety for non-emergencies, dial 843.953.5609.
- The Information Technology Service Desk will remain available by phone, email and chat. Check the IT website for hours and contact information.
- Beginning today (Monday), The City of Charleston will open certain parking garages to city residents free of charge until Friday at 8 a.m.
- The South Carolina Emergency Management Division maintains valuable hurricane information and resources on its website at sc.
COUGAR ALERTS
- CofC students, faculty, and staff are automatically enrolled to receive Cougar Alerts. Add 843.805.5507 to your Contacts/Address book on your mobile phone and label it Cougar Alert.
- Update your mobile phone and email address in MyPortal.
- Parents, families, visitors, and others can receive Cougar Alerts by texting the word cougaralert to 333111. You will automatically receive Cougar Alerts via text message. To also receive the alerts by email, reply to the confirmation text with your email address.
Sincerely,
CofC Emergency Management Team