[Updated: Feb. 25, 2015: 5 p.m.]

Duke University and Duke University Health System will activate the Severe Weather and Emergency Conditions policy from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26. Classes starting before 5 p.m. will be canceled Thursday. A decision about Thursday evening activities and classes will be made tomorrow. Future updates will be posted on the DukeALERT website.

[Original Posting]

Duke officials are closely monitoring a second winter storm that is expected to pass through the area later tonight with projections of several inches of snow. The Triangle is currently under a Winter Storm Warning from 6 p.m. Wednesday until noon Thursday. Current models indicate that precipitation will begin as rain before 9 p.m. and then turn to snow.

Officials will continue to monitor the forecasts and communicate updates as information becomes available. Faculty and staff are also encouraged to register for text message updates if not already signed up for the DukeALERT notification method. Duke will send emergency text messages in the event the Severe Weather and Emergency Conditions policy is activated.

Due to the many square miles of roads, walkways and parking lots on campus, it typically requires 4 to 6 hours after precipitation ends to clear a movable snow (no ice/sleet) of 3 inches. Faculty and staff should use priority snow/ice clearing routes to travel to and from campus buildings during winter weather since normal routes may not be cleared or treated initially.

Given the possibility of severe weather, please review Duke’s severe weather and emergency conditions policy and share information with your colleagues regarding 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 other 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.

Future updates will be posted on Duke Today as conditions warrant.