With hurricane season underway, 麻豆原创鈥檚 Office of Emergency Management is closely monitoring the tropics for severe weather with the potential to impact our community.

Tropical Storm Hermine is currently in the gulf and strengthening. Central Florida may experience some severe weather overnight but is not expected to receive any of the storm’s direct impact, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Now is the time to prepare, not panic. In anticipation of a possible impact鈥攁nd with the understanding that hurricane season lasts through November鈥斅槎乖� recommends that you starting thinking now about what you would do in the event of a storm.

During any threatening weather, the Office of Emergency Management works closely with the National Weather Service to keep 麻豆原创 leadership, students and faculty and staff members updated through and through 麻豆原创 Alert text and email notifications.

Students, faculty and staff members may also sign up to receive severe weather bulletins from 麻豆原创. This listserv doesn鈥檛 replace 麻豆原创 Alert but does provide more detailed information about potential weather threats to 麻豆原创鈥檚 campuses.

To subscribe to the weather bulletins, email listserv@listserv.cc.ucf.edu with 鈥渟ubscribe OEM-NOTICE鈥� in the body of the message. The subject line should be left blank, and be sure to send the email from the address that you wish to receive emails to.

How to Prepare

Before a situation arises, all students should have a pre-packed weather emergency kit. explains what should be included in emergency kits. In the event of an emergency that poses an imminent threat to 麻豆原创, resident assistants will provide more detailed instructions for students who live on campus.

Faculty and staff members also should take steps to prepare personally and consult with supervisors about any special preparation needs at home or at the office.

Home and office checklists and other hurricane preparedness resources are available at 麻豆原创 Office of Emergency Management.

麻豆原创 is 鈥楽tormReady鈥�

Last month 麻豆原创 was again certified as 鈥淪tormReady,鈥� continuing to be the largest university in the country to hold the National Weather Service title.

The designation, good through 2019, means that 麻豆原创 has met an advanced level of preparedness for a severe weather event. 麻豆原创 was first recognized as 鈥淪tormReady鈥� in 2010.

StormReady is a nationwide program that helps communities– including universities, military agencies and commercial centers– develop emergency weather plans. 鈥淪tormReady鈥� designees work in partnership with National Weather Service officials and state and local emergency managers.

鈥淪tormReady鈥� communities must meet the following criteria:

  • Establish a 24-hour warning point and emergency operations center
  • Have more than one way to receive severe weather warnings and forecasts and to alert the public
  • Create a system that monitors weather conditions locally
  • Promote the importance of public readiness through community seminars
  • Develop a formal hazardous weather plan, which includes training severe weather spotters and holding emergency exercises.