Categories: College University Athletics

Northeast Florida Universities Prioritize Safety Amid Hurricane Milton

University campus preparing for hurricane with safety measures.

News Summary

As Hurricane Milton approaches the Gulf Coast, universities in Northeast Florida are implementing safety measures, including class cancellations and campus closures. Jacksonville University, UNF, EWU, and FSCJ are among the institutions suspending classes to protect students and staff. Emergency management is urging residents to stay informed as the storm, initially a Category 3, is projected to make landfall soon. Collegiate responses vary, with some moving classes online and others extending closures. The community is united in prioritizing safety as preparations continue ahead of the hurricane.

Northeast Florida Colleges Make Safety a Priority Ahead of Hurricane Milton

As Hurricane Milton approaches the Gulf Coast, universities across Northeast Florida are taking the necessary precautions to ensure the safety of students, faculty, and staff. Cities like Jacksonville are bracing for what could be a significant storm, as local colleges announce class cancellations and campus closures to prepare for the impact.

Colleges Shutting Down

In a coordinated response to the looming threat, several major institutions, including Jacksonville University (JU), University of North Florida (UNF), Edward Waters University (EWU), and Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ), have declared shutdowns. Beginning on Wednesday, classes and campus activities across these colleges will be suspended as the community gears up for the storm. With Hurricane Milton projected to make landfall by Thursday, these decisions come as a proactive measure to keep everyone safe.

What to Expect from Hurricane Milton

This storm is no lightweight; Hurricane Milton was initially classified as a Category 3, boasting winds up to 125 mph. While projections indicate it may weaken slightly as it nears the coast, it is still expected to maintain Category 1 strength with winds around 75 mph. Emergency management officials are warning Northeast Florida residents of the potential for storm surges and flooding, further emphasizing the importance of these closures.

Individual College Closures

Each college is handling the situation with its own plan. Here’s a quick summary:

Edward Waters University (EWU) will close all classes and operations starting at 5 p.m. on Tuesday and intends to remain closed through Thursday, aiming to resume operations on Friday, October 11.
Jacksonville University (JU) has announced the cancellation of all classes on Wednesday and Thursday. The plan for Friday is to shift classes to a virtual format, allowing professors to choose between synchronous or asynchronous sessions.
FSCJ will suspend all classes and related activities from Wednesday, October 9 through Friday, October 11, which also extends to online classes.
University of North Florida (UNF) has also taken steps by canceling all classes from Wednesday through Friday, aligning these cancellations with the college’s already-scheduled Fall Break on Friday.
Flagler College implemented a closure starting at 12 p.m. on Tuesday, October 8, and will continue to remain closed until further notice when the storm has passed.
St. Johns River State College will also halt operations from Wednesday through Friday.
Additionally, satellite campuses like Florida A&M University and Nova Southeastern University will also close their doors in light of these weather conditions.

Staying Informed and Safe

As hurricane preparation becomes the top priority, all participating colleges are urging students and staff to stay informed and prioritize safety during this time. It is vital to keep updated on weather alerts and local emergency information.

As Northeast Florida faces this weather threat, the sense of community shines brightly through these collaborative efforts of educational institutions to protect their members. With everyone working together, the hope is that this storm will be weathered safely, allowing all to return to classes and normalcy as quickly as possible.

Conclusion

In the coming days, let’s stay connected and supportive of one another. Remember, safety first! Keep that emergency kit handy, check on your neighbors, and prepare to ride out the storm together. Hurricane Milton may be on its way, but with our collective efforts, we will get through it.