As 2006 hurricane season starts, UF officials urge readiness

June 1, 2006

Today marks the start of the 2006 Atlantic hurricane season. After the major storms of the past two seasons, University of Florida emergency preparedness officials want to remind UF students, faculty and staff that the university stands ready to put its preparedness plan into motion should the need arise again.

Although Gainesville is well inland, it’s important not to have a false sense of security. When Tropical Storm Frances ploughed through north Central Florida in September 2004, Gainesville experienced wind gusts of up to 70 mph that downed hundreds of large trees and caused widespread power outages that lasted for days.

For that reason, UF officials want to ensure that the university community knows what to do, and what to expect, if bad weather heads our way.

Here are a few of the more important things to keep in mind if a hurricane or a tropical storm threatens our area:

• The primary source of information regarding class cancellations, campus closings, evacuations, shelter openings and work schedules is the UF home page.
• Pertinent information also will be relayed to the news media, including UF’s three radio stations, WRUF-AM, WRUF-FM and WUFT-FM, as well as the campus television station, WUFT Channel 5.
• Announcements also will be sent to students, faculty and staff via e-mail.
• The university will activate its rumor control telephone line. The number will be posted on the home page and relayed to local news media when the need arises.
• In the event of a power outage, have a battery-powered radio handy and be prepared to tune into campus radio stations, which also will simulcast WCJB TV-20 newscasts when appropriate.
• UF’s two designated shelters are at the J. Wayne Reitz Union and the Southwest Recreation Center on Hull Road. Shelter openings will be posted on UFs home page, though the two shelters may not necessarily be opened simultaneously. In most cases, students living on campus who choose to stay in Gainesville may remain in their residence halls.
• Students who do choose to remain during a storm should have certain supplies on hand. Information is available for students living on campus and for students living off campus.
• For even more detailed information on how to prepare for a tropical storm or hurricane, a watch this 17-minute video. Windows Media and Flash versions are also available.

Of course, priority No. 1 is safety. While the university is taking every precaution to look out for its own and to help others, ultimately every person is responsible for his or her own well-being.

We urge everyone in the university community to take charge, be prepared and make informed decisions.