University

Monitoring Dorian

The University of Miami continues to monitor and prepare for Hurricane Dorian, and look toward recovery efforts after the storm. Here’s a few things to consider to get ready at home.
Facilities began to shutter campuses on Thursday in preparation for Hurricane Dorian
Workers board up windows on a building on the Coral Gables campus. Photo: Diego Meza-Valdes/University of Miami

It’s Florida, late summer, and in the midst of hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to Nov. 30.

So, it’s not uncommon for a storm to form in the Atlantic and continue its march across the ocean. Regardless of whether the area experiences the impact of a storm, it’s considered good planning to be prepared just in case. Batteries? Check. Water? Check.

The University of Miami Office of Emergency Management has extensive information online to help you have what you need, and tips on being prepared before, during, and after an event. Every household should have a hurricane kits with essential items, including:

  • Water (one gallon per person per day, for at least three to seven days)
  • Non-perishable food (a three- to seven-day supply)
  • Flashlight with extra batteries
  • Emergency radio (battery-powered or hand crank)
  • First Aid kit, including medication and prescription drugs for at least two weeks
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Whistle
  • Sanitizer (moist towelette or liquid)
  • Multi-tool or tool kit
  • Tarp or plastic sheeting and duct tape
  • Plastic garbage bags
  • Important documents in a weatherproof container
  • Cash
  • Special items for infants, children, elderly, persons with functional needs and pets 

Find more information on personal preparedness here: https://prepare.miami.edu/before-emergency/hurricane-preparedness/personal-preparedness-for-hurricanes/index.html

Watch the video on hurricane preparedness produced by the “clandestine student organization called the Ministry of Meteorology.”

Since Dorian emerged, the University has taken a proactive approach to planning in the event the storm will impact the Miami area.

“We conduct extensive planning year-round to ensure that our community is safe if a storm impacts South Florida. We are now putting those plans into action,” said Matthew Shpiner, director of the University’s Office of Emergency Management. “Units across the University have been positioning resources since early this week, and we continue to do so in the event that the impact to South Florida grows.

Because storm preparations across three campuses takes time to complete, “there’s a certain window within which we have time to make the decision to prepare our campuses,” said Jessica Brumley, vice president for Facilities Operations and Planning. “We take a proactive stance and make the decision with the information we have at that moment, even though there is no level of certainty as to what might happen,” she said.

Heavy equipment needed to remove debris is put in place before the storm arrives so it can be put into service once the storm has passed. Teams of workers are also sheltered in place so they can mobilize immediately once it is safe to be outside.

The first actions will be to clear critical roadways immediately after the storm. Facilities teams have been assigned to critical clean up zones. 

The latest news on the University’s preparations and actions regarding Dorian are here: https://news.miami.edu/stories/2019/08/latest-information-on-dorian.html

Further updates will be shared on the University’s Emergency Management social media accounts: www.facebook.com/UMiamiENN and www.twitter.com/UMiamiENN.