Severe Weather Policy Extended to 5 PM Wednesday

 

[Update: 4:20 p.m. Jan 28, 2014]

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Duke has activated the Severe Weather and Emergency Conditions policy for the University and Health System beginning at 7 p.m. Tuesday through 7 a.m. Wednesday. This story will no longer be updated; further updates will be posted on the DukeALERT emergency website.

The current forecast calls for snow beginning in the Durham area at 6 p.m. At least 3 inches of snow is expected.

Here are services updates for campus:

Transit/Parking

Van Services will not operate this evening due to staffing needed to pick up and provide rides for essential hospital personnel.

Other bus routes and schedules are currently running as normal, however, Duke community members are encouraged to visit Duke TransLoc for real-time updates.

Gate arms at parking areas will be lifted tonight.

Recreation

All recreation and physical education buildings and service will close at 6 p.m. today.

[Update: 10 a.m. Jan. 28, 2014]

Duke officials continue to monitor the winter storm warning, but at this time plan to operate on a normal schedule, and classes are on as scheduled through the business day.

A decision about whether to implement Duke's severe weather policy will be made this afternoon.

John Dailey, chief of Duke Police, said snow is expected to start in Durham at 4 p.m. today. He said forecasters are predicting 3 to 4 inches of snow, primarily between 5 p.m. today and 5 a.m. Wednesday.

In Beaufort, the Duke Marine Lab will close at 11 a.m. Beaufort is expecting freezing rain and sleet with a transition to snow later this afternoon or evening. About two inches of snow is predicted. Dining and facilities staff will be on-site in Beaufort, and students have been asked to monitor their email for decisions about lectures/classes in Beaufort.

Duke officials will communicate updates as conditions warrant.

[Update: 4 p.m.]

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for the central and southeast portions of central North Carolina, which now includes Durham County, from noon Tuesday to noon Wednesday.

Forecasters are calling for three to five inches of snow to fall beween Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday morning. Duke officials continue to closely monitor the weather system and will communicate updates as conditions warrant.

11:43 a.m.

Duke officials are monitoring the potential for winter weather conditions as an arctic cold front moves into the area, but at this time plan to operate on a normal schedule.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch for late Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday afternoon for roughly the southeast half of central North Carolina, which includes Wake and Johnston counties, among others. Forecasters have issued an advisory for hazardous weather for Durham and Orange counties, which could see wind chill values at 5 to 10 degrees above zero.

According to forecasters, an accumulation of two to five inches of snow is possible in the watch area and would likely impact travel on such arteries as I-40 east of Raleigh, Highways 64 and 264 east of Raleigh and Highway 401 south of Raleigh.

Given the possibility of inclement weather, staff members should review Duke's severe weather and emergency conditions policy and discuss with their managers what they should do 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.

Duke officials will communicate updates as conditions warrant, and future updates will be posted on Duke Today as necessary.