Emory campuses under Tropical Storm Warning

Oct. 28, 2020

Emory closely monitors the potential for severe weather. Emory's Emergency Operations Center serves as a central clearinghouse to ensure campus safety, shown here in 2017 during Hurricane Irma, which impacted Georgia as a tropical storm.

Emory University to delay opening Thursday, Oct. 29

Updated: Oct. 28, 9:50 p.m.

Emory University and Oxford College will delay opening of its campuses until 9:30 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 29, due to anticipated severe weather conditions resulting from Tropical Storm Zeta.

Online courses will remain as scheduled. Faculty teaching in-person courses that begin before 9:30 a.m. have the option of moving their courses to an online format and informing their students of that change.

Please find important safety information here.

This delayed opening applies only to the university, including Oxford College. Emory Healthcare is operating as normal. EHC employees and clinical faculty should report to work as regularly scheduled.

For shuttle service updates, go to transportation.emory.edu.

Call Emory's weather information line at 404-727-1234 for updates regarding the university hours of operation for Oct. 29. Updates also will be posted to the university's website at www.emory.edu and emailed to the Emory Listservs. Updates may also be found on the official Emory University Facebook page or @emoryuniversity Twitter feed.

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Emory monitoring severe weather potential

Updated: Oct. 28, 10:30 a.m.

Emory University’s Atlanta and Oxford campuses have been placed under a Tropical Storm Warning by the National Weather Service. A Tropical Storm Warning means that sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph are expected in the area within the next 36 hours. Emory University is closely monitoring the potential for severe weather. 

These campuses are also under a Flash Flood Watch. A Flash Flood watch is issued when conditions are favorable for flooding. It does not mean flooding will occur, but it is possible.

When:

  • Wednesday overnight (Oct. 28) into Thursday (Oct. 29)

Threats:

  • Damaging wind: Sustained winds of 25-35 mph with gusts to 45 to 50 mph
  • Heavy rain: Flash Flood Watch is in effect. Peak rainfall amounts: Additional 2-4 inches, with locally higher amounts
  • Tornados: Sporadic short-lived tornadoes possible 

Potential impacts:

  • Downed trees
  • Downed powerlines
  • Scattered power and communications outages
  • Dangerous flooding possible
  • Tornadoes

Take action:

  • Finalize your plan now.
  • Know where to seek shelter in your building.
  • Know what to do during a weather emergency.
  • Do not approach downed powerlines.
  • Do not approach swift moving water.
  • Do not drive across flooded roadways.
  • Stay weather aware.
  • Download LiveSafe for access to emergency guidance and messaging.

Emory's Office of Critical Event Preparedness and Response (CEPAR) is working with teams across the university to ensure the sustainability and safety of the community. There is no need to evacuate the Emory campuses; the community will follow the procedures to shelter in place should we need to do so. The university’s emergency notification system will be used to send out urgent actionable information.

CEPAR strongly encourages those in the Emory community to remain weather aware. For general information on preparedness and safety, go to the CEPAR website.

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