Lander officials monitoring Hurricane Florence. Florence is expected to impact the coast of North Carolina and South Carolina later this week, making landfall early Friday morning as a major hurricane.
The latest National Hurricane Center forecasts show that the Upstate region could experience rain and gusty winds from the outer bands of the storm, but the most significant impacts are expected to be in the coastal and Pee Dee regions. The actual impact on our area will depend largely upon where the storm makes landfall, and flooding may be possible in areas throughout the state.
Lander officials are continuing to monitor the hurricane’s projected path and are consulting with state and local officials. As a state agency, the university follows the delay and closing decisions of Greenwood County Government Offices (note: this is not the local school districts).
At this time, the University is open and operating on a normal schedule. Should weather conditions require a change to the operating schedule or student services, you will be notified of any cancellations or closings via campus email, the Lander website (lander.edu), social media (Facebook | Twitter | Instagram) and Lander Alert.
Unless conditions change this evening, we expect to issue another update tomorrow morning.
· Put Your Safety First
If you are commuting to campus from an area experiencing flooding or poor road conditions, use your best judgement in deciding to travel to campus. Do not attempt to commute in dangerous or flooded conditions. Check the S.C. Dept. of Transportation’s website for updates on road conditions throughout the state.
You may work with your professors or supervisors to account for late arrivals or absences due to weather. Students with specific questions about classes may contact the Office of Academic Affairs at (864) 388-8320.
· Be Prepared
As with any type of severe weather or emergency, it is always best to be prepared. Review campus safety procedures and sign up for the Lander Alert system for text notifications.
We encourage you to pay attention to local news media, as they will provide the most updated path of this hurricane and its potential impact on our weather. WSPA-TV | WYFF-TV | Fox Carolina | Sunny 103.5 | Index-Journal
· Evacuations and Shelters
No evacuations have been ordered for the Upstate region; however, we realize that some of our students have family members who are impacted by the evacuation orders in effect for the coast. If your family is impacted by these orders, more information about emergency shelters can be found on the South Carolina Emergency Management Division’s website.
