Updated Friday, October 4, 2024 3 p.m.
Dear Eckerd Community,
The restoration of our beloved campus is in full swing. Facilities teams have been clearing debris, cleaning academic and office spaces, and readying the campus for our eventual return.
Progress on restoring power has had one major success in the last 24 hours. Armacost Library is back on grid power, servers are running, and the campus WiFi network is operational. Now, the ITS team can begin the important process of checking classroom equipment in those buildings that have power.
Duke Energy returned to campus to address those areas with compromised electrical equipment. Today, 79% of campus has power and air conditioning supplied by Duke Energy. Additional work is continuing on the last buildings that are on emergency back-up generators.
Thank you to all the students, faculty and staff who have been using the sign up forms to access campus to retrieve items. We are heartened to see your faces and help you get prepared for another week of remote operations. If you have additional questions regarding post-storm operations, we encourage you to look for an answer in the list of frequently asked questions now available at eckerd.edu/tropical.
The next update on campus operations from EMET is planned for Monday, October 7.
Updated Wednesday, October 2, 2024 5:30 p.m.
Dear Eckerd Community,
The clean-up and recovery of our beloved campus is well underway. A professional remediation team and our Facilities team continue to address the damages shared in our last update. Restoring power remains the top priority to ensure a safe return to campus. As a result, College operations will continue remotely until at least October 18. We will provide a date for returning to campus as soon as possible, but currently, there are too many unknowns to schedule the return.
Fall Reading Days: October 14 and 15 will remain as Fall Reading Days. No formal class meetings will occur on these days.
Power: As of today, 48% of our campus buildings have power and air conditioning. Duke Energy and electrical contractors are continuing work on compromised electrical equipment. Specifically, the campus electrical system routes through in-ground vaults which were flooded. While repairs have been completed and power has been restored to some areas, others are more complex. Additionally, Duke Energy needs to reevaluate the transformer to stabilize power to Armacost, where College servers are located.
Residence Halls: Each residence hall room has been inspected. Students whose residence hall room or parked vehicle was impacted by the storm were contacted by Student Affairs staff on Tuesday, October 1.
Retrieving items from campus: Students who need to retrieve essential items from their rooms should email tropicalassistance@eckerd.edu. Faculty and staff will receive an email with instructions on coming to campus to retrieve items from offices and classrooms.
Dining Services: The cafeteria has power and air conditioning. The Bon Appetit staff is preparing so that when we are able to return to campus they will be ready to serve our community.
Mail Services: Mail delivery to campus has been suspended since Wednesday, September 25. Additional instructions for student and employee mail will be sent via email tomorrow by the Mail Services team.
Phones: The phone system is still down. Please use email to contact departments with your questions.
Our messages from EMET seek to provide the most pertinent information on the status of campus. Students, faculty, staff and families will receive additional information from various departments. The next update on campus operations from EMET is planned for Friday, October 4.
Updated Monday, September 30, 2024 11:15 a.m.
Dear Eckerd Community,
The Disaster and Assessment Recovery Team (DART) was hopeful for an imminent return to campus when power was restored on Friday. Unfortunately with the restoration of power, damage to the campus electrical system became evident, necessitating that Duke Energy shut down power from several buildings. We are unable to open campus until power is stabilized. College operations—including academic instruction—will be conducted remotely until further notice.
Here are some of the known infrastructure issues that must be resolved before we can safely return to campus:
- Identified power failures in residence halls (Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, Epsilon, Nu) and several academic buildings (Armacost Library, James Center, Forrer Language Center, Sheen Complex, Wireman Chapel, Edmundson, Lindsey, Fox and Brown halls).
- No phone, internet or server connections across campus.
- Parking areas, including Omega/Nu Lot, West Lot, South Lot experienced storm surge.
- Water intrusion: Nielsen Center for Visual Arts ground level garage, Galbraith ground level storage area, Bininger lobby and storage spaces, Lewis House storage area, Wallace Boathouse, Omega first floor storage areas, lounges of traditional residence halls
- Campus grounds are littered with marine wrack, dead fish and tree debris.
Until the ongoing facilities and electrical system assessments are complete, we will not have an estimated date of return to campus. Once a return date is set, the plan will provide ample time for travel and transition.
Students: Assessment of facilities continues. While initial visual inspections provided a cursory status of campus buildings, teams are being assembled to walk through spaces to inspect for water intrusion, other damages or safety concerns. Each residence hall room is being inspected; issues will be reported to Facilities.
Employees: Staff, who are able, are expected to report for remote work on Tuesday, October 1. Vice presidents and supervisors will communicate with staff about their ability to work remotely; their assistance may be needed on campus for storm-related matters or in-person tasks.
For members of the Eckerd community enduring hardship and loss from Hurricane Helene, please know we understand your return to Eckerd may prove challenging. Employees should work with their supervisors and students with faculty on arrangements during this difficult time.
The next update on campus operations from EMET is planned for Wednesday, October 2. Faculty, staff and students should anticipate additional communications via email.
Updated Friday, September 27, 2024 7:30 p.m.
Eckerd Community,
Campus remains closed until an “all clear” message has been issued. We hope to provide an update on Monday, September 30, on the plans for returning to campus.
Hurricane Helene—a Category 4 storm—made landfall near Perry Thursday morning and brought wind gusts of up to 140 miles per hour ashore in northwestern Florida.
- The campus experienced varying levels of storm surge both in the Waterfront and residential areas as well as in low-lying areas toward the front of campus. There are, in places, significant deposits of sea grasses, muck and debris along wrack lines.
- The intrusion of surge into buildings including residence hall rooms appears to be limited; however, inspections are ongoing.
- The entire campus is littered with tree debris of various sizes.
- Initial inspections thus far have revealed limited physical damage to campus buildings.
Power was restored to campus at 5 p.m. and the assessment of campus will continue Saturday morning. Specific departments will be contacted to inspect potentially impacted areas over the weekend.
Students: A date to return to campus has not been determined. Classes will remain remote until at least Friday, October 4. As a part of their hurricane planning, our faculty have plans in place to continue the academic program and keep students on track as campus is prepared for our return. Faculty will be in touch with students about coursework during their absence from campus.
Staff: Staff should record an inclement weather day for Monday, September 30. Some staff may need to assist in the recovery of campus or business continuity and may be identified by their supervisor to work on-campus or remotely on Monday. Supervisors will reach out to relevant staff with additional guidance.
The Monday update will be issued via the emergency notification system and posted on eckerd.edu/tropical.
Updated Friday, September 27, 2024 10 a.m.
Eckerd Community:
Hurricane Helene has now passed by Eckerd College. Our recovery team has returned to campus to begin their initial assessment. The campus is closed today and will remain closed until an “all clear” message is issued. The safety of our community members remains our primary concern, so we ask that no students, faculty or staff return to campus.
Updates will be issued via the emergency notification system and posted on eckerd.edu/tropical.
Updated Thursday, September 26, 2024 11:30 a.m.
Dear Eckerd Community,
Thank you for all your efforts in helping us to secure campus ahead of the possible impacts of Hurricane Helene, which is expected to make landfall as a major hurricane. The campus is closed today, tomorrow and will remain closed until an “all clear” message is issued. The safety of our community members remains our primary concern, so we ask that no students, faculty or staff return to campus.
There will be no in-person class meetings on Friday. Students should continue to follow instructions from their faculty regarding coursework, virtual meetings, and assignments.
Once the storm passes we will assess any damage, make necessary repairs and alert the campus community about a reopening schedule.
For those who haven’t yet filled out the appropriate Evacuation Location Form—student or employee—please do so.
Our area is under a Zone A evacuation order. A storm surge warning, tropical storm warning, hurricane watch, flood watch and tornado watch are in effect for Pinellas County. Please follow county orders.
All of the Tampa Bay surrounding counties need to be prepared for potential impacts. According to Pinellas County, high winds are expected throughout the County. The biggest impacts are expected later today, with dangerous storm surge impacts continuing after the storm exits the area. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection asks people remaining in Pinellas County to limit their usage of water-based appliances including dishwashers and washing machines until after the burden on the wastewater system from storm surge and rainfall is cleared.
If you are sheltering in areas in the path of Hurricane Helene, remember to stay indoors away from windows during the storm.
After the storm, faculty, staff and students will receive a check-in message from the emergency notification system. Please answer promptly.
Updates will be issued via the emergency notification system and posted on eckerd.edu/tropical.
Updated Wednesday, September 25, 2024 12:30 p.m.
Dear Eckerd Community,
Pinellas County has issued a mandatory evacuation order for residents in Zone A and all mobile homes countywide for Hurricane Helene. The order took effect at 9 a.m. today, Wednesday, Sept. 25, and includes high-rise buildings in Evacuation Zone A, which will not be a safe place to ride out the storm. Please follow county orders. You can find your evacuation zone online.
For those who haven’t yet filled out the appropriate Evacuation Location Form—student or employee—please do so.
According to Pinellas County, Hurricane Helene is expected to strengthen to a major hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico tomorrow. Even though it is currently forecast to pass offshore Pinellas County, it is anticipated to bring tropical storm force winds and life-threatening storm surge flooding and flash flooding to our area.
Residence halls are now closed and all students should be off campus. Faculty and staff should be off campus by 2 p.m. Staff should continue to work with supervisors for flexibility.
Updates will be issued via the emergency notification system and posted on eckerd.edu/tropical.
Updated Tuesday, September 24, 2024 1 p.m.
Dear Eckerd Community,
Eckerd College’s Emergency Management Executive Team is continuing to monitor Tropical Storm Helene. All classes have been canceled to allow students time to evacuate the campus. Students should take their course materials with them and must be out of their residence halls by 11 a.m. Wednesday. Campus will officially close at 2 p.m. Wednesday. No one will be allowed on campus until an “all clear” message is issued.
All students and employees must fill out the appropriate Evacuation Location Form—student or employee. Students and family members with remaining questions and concerns about student travel plans may speak with Student Affairs today until 5 p.m. and Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.; students can meet with representatives in person in Brown Hall or call 727.864.8421 during these times. Additionally, questions can be sent by email to tropicalassistance@eckerd.edu.
- Dining operations remain normal for today. The cafeteria will open at its normal time of 7:30 a.m. Wednesday with continental breakfast available and to-go boxed lunches will be available until 11 a.m.
- The Mail Services window will be open today from 8:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m. and on Wednesday from 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. for package/mail retrieval. Any overnight express packages should be brought to Mail Services today, no later than 2 p.m. Anything received after noon Wednesday will not be processed until Mail Services reopens.
- The library is open until 5 p.m. today. If you need physical materials, please come by and collect them today before 5 p.m. Use OneSearch to check the library catalog. All electronic collections are accessible during this closure.
Students should refer to their hurricane guide for more information about evacuation. Additional details on specific campus services are available online.
Staff should plan to report for work Wednesday. All employees should contact their supervisor with questions.
A Hurricane Watch, Storm Surge Watch and Flood Watch are in effect for Pinellas County. Faculty and staff members and students living off campus should check their evacuation zones and stay abreast of orders and information from Pinellas County Emergency Management.
We will continue to communicate via the emergency notification system and post updates on eckerd.edu/tropical.
Posted Monday, September 23, 2024 7 p.m.
Dear Eckerd Community,
Eckerd College’s Emergency Management Executive Team is monitoring Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine. In view of the current track and in the interest of the safety of our community, we are enacting our plan for campus closure. Students will meet with resident advisors this evening to discuss travel plans. All classes will be canceled starting tomorrow. Students should take their course materials with them and must be out of their residence halls by 11 a.m. Wednesday. Campus will officially close at 2 p.m. Wednesday.
All students and employees must fill out the appropriate Evacuation Location Form—student or employee. Students and family members with remaining questions and concerns about student travel plans may speak with Student Affairs tomorrow from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.; students can meet with representatives in person in Brown Hall or call 727.864.8421 during these times. Additionally, questions can be sent by email to tropicalassistance@eckerd.edu.
The College is inside of the three-day cone but meteorologists caution that the storm remains unpredictable. The current track projects landfall somewhere between the Florida Panhandle and the Tampa Bay area. At this point, we expect to feel the most severe impacts, including heavy rain and storm surge, Thursday. Campus will remain closed until an “all clear” message is issued.
Students should refer to their hurricane guide for more information about evacuation.
Staff should report for work on Tuesday and Wednesday to enact their unit plans. Faculty and staff members and students living off campus should check their evacuation zones and stay abreast of orders and information from Pinellas County Emergency Management. All employees should contact their supervisor with questions.
We will continue to communicate via the emergency notification system and post updates on eckerd.edu/tropical.
