Columbia campus will resume normal operations, all classes, Friday, Oct. 12
10/16/2018 9:30 pm
The University of South Carolina Columbia campus will resume normal operations and all classes will be held on Friday, Oct. 12.
Flash Flood Warning
10/11/2018 6:30 am
The National Weather Service in Columbia has issued a flash flood warning for the University of South Carolina until 9:15AM Thursday October 11, 2018. https://inws.ncep.noaa.gov/a/a.php?i=26682921 Flooding is imminent or occurring on the USC campus. Do not walk or drive through flood waters regardless of depth. Do not attempt to retrieve your car or personal items from flooded areas. Preparedness information can be found at http://carolinaalert.sc.edu/emergency-tips-and-procedures/flash-flood/. Flood-prone areas of campus include: Intersection of Main St. and Whaley St. Area behind 300 Main St. Area behind Blatt P.E. Center Sumter St. under the railroad bridge Pickens St. under the pedestrian crossing. Please monitor http://carolinaalert.sc.edu/ and local media for more information and updates.
Hurricane Michael - Campus Closed
10/10/2018 4:30 pm
Due to anticipated inclement weather caused by Hurricane Michael, the University of South Carolina’s Columbia campus will be closed and classes cancelled on Thursday, Oct. 11. The storm is currently projected to be a tropical storm when it reaches South Carolina and will likely bring heavy rain and strong winds to the Midlands beginning late Wednesday night and into Thursday. Road conditions may be hazardous in some areas and strong, damaging winds are expected, so students, faculty and staff are encouraged to stay at home and off roadways during the storm. Students are encouraged to remain in Columbia and we anticipate reopening on Friday. Essential personnel should report to campus. As a state agency, the university follows the delay and closing determinations of Richland County government and the South Carolina governor’s office. University officials will continue to consult with state and local officials. Monitor www.sc.edu/weather and Carolina Alert for updates. Please note: Essential campus functions like food service, housing and the health center will continue to operate. Makeup Classes and Academic Calendar Changes For those classes missed on Oct. 11 (and only those classes), faculty have the option to offer make-up classes on Reading Day, December 8th if, at the faculty member’s discretion, that time is needed to ensure quality of the course content. If a faculty member chooses to use Reading Day to make up class time, that will be considered the last day of class and will extend the period within the regular semester for last in-class tests. Please see the Faculty Manual for a full explanation of when in class examinations are allowed. Because of the timing of this closure, the Withdrawal date will be moved to Thursday, Oct.18th. Safety Awareness Be aware that heavy rainfall can cause flash flooding near parts of campus. If there is any possibility of a flash flood, move to higher ground. Monitor Carolina Alert for flash flood warnings on the USC campus. Areas that are especially prone to flooding include: Intersection of Main and Whaley streets Parking lots behind 300 Main St. Parking lots behind the Blatt P.E. Center Sumter Street under the railroad bridge Pickens Street under the pedestrian crossing Five Points Never walk through moving water. Six inches of moving water can make you fall. If you have to walk in water, walk where the water is not moving. Use a stick to check the firmness of the ground in front of you. Do not drive into flooded areas. If floodwaters rise around your car, abandon the car and move to higher ground if you can do so safely. You and the vehicle could be quickly swept away and it only takes a foot of water to cause your car to float off the roadway. The South Carolina Emergency Management Division recommends the following safety precautions: Have a plan for where you will go if conditions become too unsafe to remain in your home. Have an emergency kit with items such as: bottled water, non-perishable food and flashlights with extra batteries. Refer to the preparedness checklists in the 2018 S.C. Hurricane Guide. Include items for your pets in your emergency kit. Prepare your home or business by securing any items you have in your yard by taking them indoors. The probability of power outages is increased due to tropical storm force winds. Make sure you have some cash in case of power outages. Frequently monitor weather conditions and be aware that tornadoes are likely spawned during a hurricane or tropical storm. If you are under a tornado warning, seek shelter immediately. Take shelter immediately in a house or small building. If there is no basement, go to an interior room on the lowest level. Get under a sturdy table and cover your head. Stay there until the danger has passed. In a vehicle, trailer or mobile home, get out immediately and go to a more substantial structure. If there is no shelter nearby, lie flat in the nearest ditch and cover your head. Do not attempt to outdrive a tornado. Keep all of your important papers in a watertight bag. Check with your pharmacy to make sure all important medications are filled. Students, faculty and staff can report on campus damage or flooding to USC Police by calling 777-4215 or using the RAVE Guardian App.
Tropical Storm Warning
10/10/2018 10:26 am
The University of South Carolina is currently under Tropical Storm Warning. A Tropical Storm Warning is issued when sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph or higher are associated with a tropical cyclone are expected in 36 hours or less. https://inws.ncep.noaa.gov/a/a.php?i=26606784 Please monitor www.sc.edu/CarolinaAlert and local media for more information and updates.
Hurricane Michael
10/09/2018 9:27 pm
Hurricane Michael Information The University of South Carolina is operating under normal conditions and officials are working with state and local officials to monitor the progress of Hurricane Michael. At this time, we do not anticipate closing or cancelling classes. The storm is currently projected to be a tropical storm when it reaches South Carolina and could bring heavy rain and strong winds to the Midlands beginning Wednesday night and into Thursday. Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to monitor www.sc.edu/weather and Carolina Alert for updates. As a state agency, the university follows the delay and closing determinations of Richland County government and the South Carolina governor’s office. University officials will continue to consult with state and local officials and any updates on potential cancellations or closings will be posted on sc.edu/weather, social media and Carolina Alert. Please note: even in the event of weather-related closures, essential operations like food service, housing and the health center continue as normal. In the meantime, please be aware that heavy rainfall can cause flash flooding near parts of campus. If there is any possibility of a flash flood, move to higher ground. Monitor Carolina Alert for flash flood warnings on the USC campus. Areas that are especially prone to flooding include: • Intersection of Main and Whaley streets • Parking lots behind 300 Main St. • Parking lots behind the Blatt P.E. Center • Sumter Street under the railroad bridge • Pickens Street under the pedestrian crossing • Five Points Never walk through moving water. Six inches of moving water can make you fall. If you have to walk in water, walk where the water is not moving. Use a stick to check the firmness of the ground in front of you. Do not drive into flooded areas. If floodwaters rise around your car, abandon the car and move to higher ground if you can do so safely. You and the vehicle could be quickly swept away and it only takes a foot of water to cause your car to float off the roadway.