Severe Weather Policy Extended to 7 p.m. Sunday

TO:  Vice Presidents, Vice Provosts, Deans, Directors, Department Heads, and Managers
FROM:  Kyle Cavanaugh, Vice President for Administration, Emergency Coordinator
RE:  Severe Weather Policy Extended to 7 p.m. Sunday

After consulting with local law enforcement and the National Weather Service, Duke officials have decided to extend the severe weather and emergency conditions policy for Duke University and Duke University Health System until 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 8. All Duke Urgent Care centers will be closed Saturday.

All staff in “Essential Service" positions should report to work or remain at work. Gates on parking garages will be open Saturday and Sunday for use by staff in “Essential Service” positions. All employees “Delayed Service” positions should not report to work or remain at work when the policy is in effect to allow for crews to clear parking lots and roads more effectively.

Snow accumulation amounts turned out to be lower than forecaster estimates with a low of 2 inches, high of 4. The biggest impact from the storm will be hazardous travel conditions today and then continuing into the overnight and Sunday. Temperatures are not expected to rise above freezing through the weekend. Crews continue to clear and treat priority campus roads, walkways, and parking lots, but walking and driving surfaces will not be clear and dry to the pavement. Salt and ice-melt chemicals are not effective in temperatures below mid-20s, so sand is being used on critical walkways to help with traction. Anyone traveling on or around campus is urged to use extreme caution as icy conditions, especially on elevated surfaces, will persist for some time.  

Several events and activities have been adjusted due to the weather. Duke Men’s Basketball vs. Boston College game will be played in Cameron Indoor Stadium at 2 p.m. Saturday and broadcast on RSN. Parking lots and walkways around the stadium have been cleared and treated, but icy conditions will still make travel hazardous. The Winter Forum sessions scheduled for Sunday have been postponed due to weather conditions, and Duke Chapel services for Sunday have been canceled.

Ongoing updates about events and campus operations, including roads, parking lots, busing routes, dining facilities and Duke stores, will be posted on the DukeALERT website: http://emergency.duke.edu.