Dear Campus Community,
Tropical Storm Debby is expected to bring severe weather conditions to our area this week, with initial impacts beginning as soon as Sunday evening (Aug. 4) and extending into Friday.
The College plans to open for regular business operations and summer classes on Monday morning, Aug. 5. Employees should devote efforts on Monday morning to securing offices and equipment according to their department’s emergency preparation plans. Students, faculty and staff should be prepared for possible changes to work and class schedules for Monday afternoon. Adjustments to schedules and/or work modes for Monday afternoon will be communicated through the Cougar Alert emergency notification system and at emergency.charleston.edu.
Adjustments to work and class final exam schedules are likely for Monday through Wednesday (Aug. 5-7). Faculty members who have in-person exams scheduled starting at 11:30 a.m. or later on Monday, Aug. 5, and anytime on Tuesday, Aug. 6, should implement an alternate mode of final exam delivery (i.e., remotely), and communicate that as soon as possible with your students so they can prepare. Adjustments to schedules and/or work modes for Tuesday through Friday will be communicated through the Cougar Alert emergency notification system and at emergency.charleston.edu. The provost’s office will communicate directly with faculty teaching summer classes this week.
The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for coastal South Carolina from 2 a.m. Monday through Friday morning. The primary concerns with this storm system are prolonged periods of heavy rain, flooding and tropical storm-force winds. Tropical Storm 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. Read the latest updates from the City of Charleston about local preparations, storm services and parking garage availability. Please stay tuned to local news and monitor the latest updates from the National Weather Service. The city’s TideEye app is a valuable resource for tracking tide levels and road closures due to flooding.
Sincerely,
College of Charleston Emergency Management Team