Skip to main content

Officials Monitoring Potential for Modest Winter Storm

Managers encouraged to use discretion with staffing

 

Updated: 4:15 p.m., Friday, Jan. 25, 2013:

Duke will activate the severe weather and emergency conditions policy for second and third shifts from 5 p.m. Friday to 7 a.m. Saturday.

For future updates on this weather event, visit the DukeALERT emergency website.  

 Updated: 12:12 p.m., Friday, Jan. 25, 2013:

All University dining facilities are operating under normal schedules with the following exceptions:

Quenchers (Wilson Center) will close at 1 p.m. today.

Greek Devil (Bryan Center Plaza) is closed.

Updated: 10:25 a.m., Friday, Jan. 25, 2013:

Duke University and Duke University Health System will operate on a normal schedule Friday with classes and other business proceeding as scheduled. However, because of the possibility of icy road conditions this afternoon, managers are encouraged to be flexible with staffing and use discretion as appropriate to allow employees not needed for core operations to leave after 3 p.m. Normal leave policies would apply.

Crews have been pretreating campus roads, walkways and building entrances in anticipation of winter weather later today. Once precipitation begins, crews will treat designated walkways and roadways surfaces as described in Duke's snow and ice priority clearing plan, but individuals should use caution while traveling around campus as surfaces may be icy. Sloped surfaces, stairs, ramps, and paths not identified as the preferred route of travel should be avoided.

The official kickoff reception for Celebrating the Past, Charting the Future: Commemorating 50 Years of Black Students at Duke University will continue as schedule at 7 p.m. Friday at the Nasher Museum of Art. Participants are encouraged to allow extra time to travel.

Performances and athletic events on Friday and Saturday are also planned to continue as scheduled, including the Men's Basketball game at 1 p.m. Saturday.  Visit GoDuke.com for more details about game times and locations. 

More information about the Severe Weather and Emergency Conditions policy, including a map of priorities for clearing roads, lots and sidewalks, checklists and answers to frequently asked questions, is available at the DukeALERT emergency website.

Updated: 6:00 p.m., Thurday, Jan. 24, 2013:

The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for central North Carolina for a modest storm that is projected to bring less than an inch of snow, sleet and freezing rain late Friday afternoon and early evening.

Duke officials do not currently expect to cancel classes or activate the severe weather and emergency conditions policy during the first shift tomorrow. Managers are encouraged to be flexible with staffing and use discretion as appropriate. A decision about second shift will be made later Friday.  

Facilities crews have pretreated many roads, parking lots, walkways and entrances to buildings in expectation of winter weather. Ice melt will be used once precipitation starts, but officials urge individuals to use caution since clearing equipment is not as effective with ice.  

The official kickoff reception for "Celebrating the Past, Charting the Future: Commemorating 50 Years of Black Students at Duke University" will continue as scheduled at 7 p.m. Friday at the Nasher Museum of Art.  Participants are encouraged to allow extra time for travel.

Athletic events on Friday and Saturday are also planned to continue as scheduled, including the Men's Basketball game at 1 p.m. Saturday.  Visit go.duke.com for more details about game times and locations. 

Updated: 1:30 p.m., Thurday, Jan. 24, 2013:

Duke officials are closely monitoring weather forecasts that call for a period of light snow with possible sleet Friday afternoon in the Durham area.

Snow accumulations of up to an inch are possible. Precipitation is expected to end as a brief period of freezing rain around sunset.

At this time, Duke officials expect to operate on a normal schedule Friday with no changes in classes. Updates will be made as conditions warrant.

Given the chance of severe weather, employees are encouraged to review Duke's severe weather and emergency conditions policy to ensure understanding of roles and responsibilities if the policy is activated.

During times of severe weather, some staff positions require on-site presence to continue operations. To ensure continuous operations of patient care, student support and research functions, managers should assign all jobs to one of three service categories:

  • Essential Service: During severe weather or emergency conditions, essential service staff report or remain at work.  Transportation service and childcare services may be provided for those required to work during severe weather or emergency conditions.
  • Reserve Service: During severe weather or emergency conditions, these staff are assigned a status at the time of the event.
  • Delayed Service: During severe weather or emergency conditions, these staff do not report to or remain at work.

More information about the policy, including a map of priorities for clearing roads, lots and sidewalks, checklists and answers to frequently asked questions, is available at the DukeALERT emergency website.