Eckerd College Campus Safety & Security

08/22/2020

Forecasts for Tropical Storm Laura (formerly Tropical Depression 13) have shifted the storm even further west toward the Gulf of Mexico putting our region outside the 3-day cone of uncertainty.

College operations remain normal at this time, and we are planning to welcome all families traveling to Florida for new student move-in on Monday and Tuesday. Those traveling from areas affected by the storm should contact [email protected] if alternate arrangements for arrival must be made.

We will continue to monitor this system and will only communicate further if there are significant changes to the storm’s path that will impact our area.

The College’s Emergency Management Executive Team continues to meet regularly. Any changes will be communicated via email, posted on eckerd.edu/tropical and facebook.com/eckerdcs and tweeted from the account on Twitter. Please bookmark these sites in your browsers.

08/21/2020

Forecasts for Tropical Storm Laura (formerly Tropical Depression 13) have shifted the storm’s track west toward the Gulf of Mexico; however, the details are still unclear as far as intensity and possible impacts. Pinellas County is preparing for possible rain and wind events early next week—more clarity is expected Saturday.

College operations remain normal at this time, and we are planning to welcome all families traveling to Florida for new student move-in on Monday and Tuesday. Those traveling from areas affected by the storm should contact [email protected] if alternate arrangements for arrival must be made.

We will continue to monitor this system and communicate any changes in College operations over the weekend. Expect an update message about College operations from the Emergency Management Executive Team Saturday afternoon.

Reports of a storm, despite its impacts, may cause several changes in the operations of the State including potential evacuations in South Florida that will cause traffic delays traveling west and north and a shortage of hotel accommodations for people seeking shelter without reservations. If you are planning to arrive early, please confirm your travel reservations and the hotel's hurricane plan.

The College’s Emergency Management Executive Team continues to meet regularly. Any changes will be communicated via email, posted on eckerd.edu/tropical and facebook.com/eckerdcs and tweeted from the account on Twitter. Please bookmark these sites in your browsers.

08/20/2020

The National Weather Service reports that Tropical Depression 13 has formed in the Atlantic, southeast of Puerto Rico. Eckerd College’s Emergency Management Executive Team is monitoring this system closely as it moves northwest toward the Straits of Florida.

Forecasters predict it will intensify to a Category 1 hurricane that will reach southern Florida by Monday afternoon, but historically, the timing and intensity of storms is most accurate when we enter the 3-day cone. We are continuing to monitor TD 13’s characteristics including the storm’s eye location, its wind intensity and the speed of its approach. As more information becomes available, we will continue to communicate with you about College operations.

College operations remain normal at this time, and we are preparing to welcome all families traveling to Florida for new student move-in on Monday and Tuesday. Better information about storm track and intensity should be available by Friday evening. Our next message, which will indicate any change in the move-in plans, will reach you no later than 7 p.m., Friday.

Reports of a storm, despite its impacts, may cause several changes in the operations of the state including potential evacuations in South Florida that will cause traffic delays traveling west and north and a shortage of hotel accommodations for people seeking shelter without reservations. If you are planning to arrive early, please confirm your travel reservations and the hotel's hurricane plan.

Any changes will be communicated via email, posted on eckerd.edu/tropical and facebook.com/eckerdcs and tweeted from the account on Twitter. Please bookmark these sites in your browsers. The College’s Emergency Management Executive Team continues to meet regularly. Our next storm update is planned for Friday evening.

10/19/2019

At approximately 1:52 am today, Saturday, October 19, and lasting until 12:00 pm, the National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for the immediate area surrounding Eckerd College. Please monitor NOAA weather radio, local radio stations, and local TV stations for more information. Please make plans to take shelter if a tornado warning is issued for this immediate area.

If a tornado warning is issued, seek immediate shelter indoors and away from windows until further notice. Do not leave your location, continue sheltering until you have been directed to by College Officials that it is safe.

10/18/2019

The tropical storm system in the Gulf, which may become TS Nestor today, is expected to make landfall from eastern Alabama to the Florida Panhandle Saturday morning. In our area, we will see rain and increased winds this evening through Saturday. The amount of rain and intensity of the winds will vary depending on the exact track of the storm. There is the potential for tornadoes. If a tornado warning is issued for our area, seek shelter inside and away from windows.

A storm surge warning has been issued for Pinellas County, but primarily pertains to Clearwater Beach and north. As the storm moves through the Gulf, use caution as rain may be heavy at times and tides will be above normal.

We continue to monitor the storm and its potential impacts on our area and will send additional messages as needed.

09/02/2019

The National Hurricane Center and the local National Weather Service office expect Hurricane Dorian to have minimal effects on Pinellas County. Eckerd College may experience wind and rain typical of a summer storm. College operations are normal.

Staff and faculty impacted by the closure of Pinellas County Schools should communicate with their supervisors about any changes to their work schedules.

No further updates are expected, however, the Eckerd College Emergency Management Executive Team continues to monitor the storm. Stay informed by checking eckerd.edu/tropical and facebook.com/eckerdcs and following the account on Twitter.

Throughout the tropical storm season, which officially runs from June 1 to November 30, Eckerd College maintains this tropical weather site as a service to the members of our community. We invite students, faculty, staff, trustees, and their families to use this site as a resource for planning and i...

09/01/2019

The National Hurricane Center forecasts currently keep Hurricane Dorian off the east coast of Florida. The local National Weather Service office has significantly decreased its forecasts for wind and rain related to Hurricane Dorian for Pinellas County.

The Eckerd College Emergency Management Executive Team continues to monitor the storm and will send updates as needed. Stay informed by checking eckerd.edu/tropical and facebook.com/eckerdcs and following the account on Twitter.

Throughout the tropical storm season, which officially runs from June 1 to November 30, Eckerd College maintains this tropical weather site as a service to the members of our community. We invite students, faculty, staff, trustees, and their families to use this site as a resource for planning and i...

08/31/2019

The National Hurricane Center reports little change in Hurricane Dorian’s expected westward path and eventual turn toward the north along the east coast of Florida. Our local National Weather Service office has decreased the chance of impacts from the storm on Pinellas County.

The Eckerd College Emergency Management Executive Team remains vigilant and in close contact with Pinellas County Emergency Management and the National Weather Service. We will reduce our communications to only a mid-morning report. Stay informed by checking eckerd.edu/tropical and facebook.com/eckerdcs and following the account on Twitter.

Throughout the tropical storm season, which officially runs from June 1 to November 30, Eckerd College maintains this tropical weather site as a service to the members of our community. We invite students, faculty, staff, trustees, and their families to use this site as a resource for planning and i...

08/31/2019

The National Hurricane Center reports that Hurricane Dorian continues a westward path and is expected to take a turn toward the north along the east coast of Florida. Our local National Weather Service office indicates that Pinellas County may expect heavy rains and wind gusts mid-week.

We expect operations at Eckerd College to remain normal. As we continue to welcome students back to campus this weekend, returners are encouraged to make contact with their professors about any changes to their travel plans that may prevent them from attending classes, which are scheduled to begin Monday.

The Emergency Management Executive Team is in close contact with Pinellas County Emergency Management and the National Weather Service and will continue to communicate with the Eckerd community as more information is available. We will continue to plan our updates for mid-morning and early evening throughout the weekend. Stay informed by checking eckerd.edu/tropical and facebook.com/eckerdcs and following the account on Twitter.

Throughout the tropical storm season, which officially runs from June 1 to November 30, Eckerd College maintains this tropical weather site as a service to the members of our community. We invite students, faculty, staff, trustees, and their families to use this site as a resource for planning and i...

08/30/2019

Forecasts for Hurricane Dorian’s possible impact on Pinellas County remain unclear. The National Weather Service is predicting our area may experience strong winds and heavy rains beginning Monday night and persisting through Wednesday. Local governments and public schools are making preparations for the storm, but no evacuation orders have been announced. College operations are normal.

Even as we welcome returning students throughout the weekend, we know the storm can impact travel plans. Students are encouraged to make contact with their professors about any changes to their travel plans that may prevent them from attending classes, which are scheduled to begin Monday.

The Emergency Management Executive Team is in close contact with Pinellas County Emergency Management and the National Weather Service and will continue to communicate with the Eckerd community as more information is available. Starting Saturday we will plan our updates for mid-morning and early evening. Stay informed by checking eckerd.edu/tropical and facebook.com/eckerdcs and following the account on Twitter.

Throughout the tropical storm season, which officially runs from June 1 to November 30, Eckerd College maintains this tropical weather site as a service to the members of our community. We invite students, faculty, staff, trustees, and their families to use this site as a resource for planning and i...

08/30/2019

The National Hurricane Center reports that Hurricane Dorian continues to creep toward the East Coast of Florida, with possible impacts on the Tampa Bay area now predicted for late Monday through Wednesday. The College intends to begin the Fall Semester with classes on Monday. The Emergency Management Executive Team will send another update before 8 p.m. Stay informed by checking eckerd.edu/tropical and facebook.com/eckerdcs and following the account on Twitter.

Throughout the tropical storm season, which officially runs from June 1 to November 30, Eckerd College maintains this tropical weather site as a service to the members of our community. We invite students, faculty, staff, trustees, and their families to use this site as a resource for planning and i...

08/29/2019

The National Hurricane Center reports that Hurricane Dorian has slowed significantly, delaying potential impacts on the state. In addition, the projected path and location of landfall along the East Coast of Florida remain uncertain.

The National Weather Service is unable to predict the extent of the effects in the Tampa Bay area. Pinellas County is not under a hurricane watch or warning, and no evacuation orders have been announced. The safety of Eckerd students, faculty and staff is our top priority, and we will continue to monitor the storm.

We understand that Hurricane Dorian’s path could impact your travel plans for the start of the Fall Semester. Eckerd College will open residence halls at 9 a.m., Friday, for returning students, and classes are expected to begin on Monday. Families should continue to monitor the weather in their areas and make travel plans accordingly. Students are encouraged to make contact with their professors about any changes to their travel plans that may prevent them from attending class on Monday.

The Emergency Management Executive Team will continue to communicate with the Eckerd community as more information is available. Stay informed by checking eckerd.edu/tropical and facebook.com/eckerdcs and following the account on Twitter.

Throughout the tropical storm season, which officially runs from June 1 to November 30, Eckerd College maintains this tropical weather site as a service to the members of our community. We invite students, faculty, staff, trustees, and their families to use this site as a resource for planning and i...