Classes Canceled After 5 p.m. Wednesday, Severe Weather Policy Effective at Noon Thursday

TO:  Vice Presidents, Vice Provosts, Deans, Directors, Department Heads, and Managers
FROM:  Kyle Cavanaugh, Vice President for Administration, Emergency Coordinator
RE:  Classes Canceled After 5 p.m. Wednesday, Severe Weather Policy Effective at Noon Thursday

Due to potential storm impact from Hurricane Florence, Duke has decided to cancel all classes after 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. In order to ensure essential operations during this time, Duke will activate the severe weather and emergency condition policy beginning at noon on Thursday, Sept. 13.

All Duke Health clinics will remain open under normal operations through noon on Thursday. Clinical staff should contact their manager for additional operating information.

In addition, all athletic events scheduled on campus from Thursday through Sunday will be cancelled or postponed and rescheduled. Check GoDuke.com for updates on rescheduling of games.

All departments should implement their severe weather plans beginning at noon Thursday. Managers should ensure staff members are aware of the service category for their position and their responsibilities when the severe weather policy is activated.. 

Crews on campus have begun taking precautionary measures such as securing outdoor equipment, inspecting storm drains, and fueling vehicles and generators. Police and medical personnel, as well as facilities and grounds crews, will be on-site and on-call during the week and weekend to respond to emergencies, as needed. Duke community members are encouraged to report flooding or property damage immediately to the appropriate maintenance unit: Facilities for the university campus, and Engineering & Operations for Duke Hospital and the School of Medicine.

During the storm, individuals are asked to remain indoors to avoid falling trees and limbs or downed electrical lines. Any potential safety-related issues, such as downed trees or power lines, should be reported to the Duke University Police Department, 919-684-2444. Unless a situation is life threatening, crews may wait until after dangerous winds have subsided before responding.

Additional updates and information about Duke’s response to the hurricane will be posted on the DukeALERT website going forward.