Hurricane Dorian

Around 2 p.m. on Tuesday, East Carolina University sent out an ECU Alert stating classes are cancelled beginning at or after 3 p.m. on Thursday, and all classes on Friday as Hurricane Dorian pushes up the eastern coastline.

The next scheduled update relating to Hurricane Dorian will be sent by noon tomorrow.

According to an email sent out by ECU Alert, the call to cancel classes on Thursday and Friday has been made in anticipation of the wind and rain bands from Hurricane Dorian. The National Weather Service has issued a Tropical Storm Watch for eastern North Carolina.

The region is expected to be impacted by tropical storm force wind gusts and periods of heavy rainfall, which could potentially result in damage to trees and flash flooding in “low-lying areas.”

“Forecasts for the Greenville area call for 20-40 mph winds with higher gusts possible and 2-4 inches of rain, with some models indicating 4-6 inches are possible,” the email said. “Some flash flooding can be expected on city streets, similar to what Greenville experiences during strong thunderstorms. Do not drive, swim or walk through floodwaters. Current forecasts anticipate the Tar River remaining below flood level.”

Beginning at 3 p.m. on Thursday and continuing until 5 p.m. on Friday, ECU will “operate under Condition 1 of the UNC System Adverse Weather and Emergency Event policy.” Employees are asked to check with managers for information on scheduling and alternative work locations, according to the email.

The impacts and conditions individuals will experience in the coming days will vary, according to the email. Each individual is responsible for their actions and safety, and is asked to make the most responsible decisions for them personally while keeping the circumstances and best travel route in mind.

According to the email, ECU’s residence halls are safe for students to be during the storm.

“Residence halls on our campus are substantially built and often are the safest place for students to be, especially for those students whose families reside in areas east and south of Greenville that will experience greater storm effects. Core services like dining halls and residence halls will remain open throughout this weather event, and there is no evacuation in effect,” the email said.

The ECU Alert email offered several links for students to follow up with for updates such as the Adverse Weather and Emergency Event Policy and Condition levels and campus programs and services such as dining and transit.

ECU Physicians will remain open on the days classes have been cancelled for students.

“ECU Physicians clinics will be open Thursday and Friday. Information is available on a special hotline: 252-744-5080 or 1-800-745-5181. Dental patients should call 252-737-7834 for appointments in Ross Hall or their respective Community Service Learning Centers,” according to the email.

Those who live off-campus and are unsure whether their house or apartment complex is an area prone to flooding should contact the property manager to ask about the circumstances, according to the email.

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