Officials Monitoring Path of Tropical Storm Ian

[Update: Friday, Sept. 30: 1 p.m.]

Duke Transit buses will operate University routes (C1, Swift Shuttle, PR1, LaSalle Loop) with smaller-sized buses on a limited schedule through 6:30pm (weather permitting). After 6;30 p.m., please visit the Duke Transit TransLoc mobile app and request a ride via Van Services, which is available until 12:15 a.m. 

Hospital buses (H1, H2, H5) will operate on a normal schedule; however, expect minor delays due to weather.

[Update: Friday, Sept. 30: 12 p.m.]

Wilson and Brodie Recreation Centers will close at 1 p.m. Friday. They will resume normal operating hours Saturday.

The Sarah P. Duke Gardens will also close at 1 p.m. Friday with most weekend events either canceled or postponed. Visit Duke Gardens' event listings page for the latest updates.

[Update: Friday, Sept. 30: 10 a.m.]

Duke will cancel in-person classes after 1 p.m. Friday due to the forecast for sustained winds of 30 mph with gusts up to 46 mph this afternoon and evening. Faculty have the discretion to hold classes online as needed.

Campus buses plan to continue to operate until 2 p.m. but service will be suspended for the remainder of the afternoon and evening due to high winds. Members of the Duke community should plan accordingly to ensure they reach their residential campus or final destination before bus service ends. Hospital transit will continue as long as it is safe to do so. Buses are not allowed by state law to operate when winds are 35 mph or higher. 

Duke is not planning to activate the severe weather and emergency conditions policy, but managers are encouraged to be flexible with staffing where possible. Medical center staff can use their parking permits to access any parking lot or garage close to their work site beginning at 5 p.m. Friday and through the weekend.

The National Weather Service is projecting 3-5 inches of rain in central North Carolina between Friday and early Saturday. Heavy downpours could result in flash flooding, especially in low-lying areas. Wind gust of up to 40 mph are possible Friday through Saturday, and there is a slight possibility of isolated tornadoes, primarily east of I-95.

If localized flooding occurs, individuals should report the incident to Facilities Management (campus) at 919-684-2122 or Engineering & Operations (Duke Hospital/Medical Center) at 919-684-3232. The rain combined with higher winds could result in a few downed trees. Downed trees on campus should be reported to Duke Police at 919-684-2444.

[Update: Thursday, Sept. 29: 2:40 p.m.]

Duke officials continue to closely monitor and prepare for any potential impacts of the storm. The following updates are reported at this time:

• University and health system crews have cleared out drains, prepared generators, removed and secured outdoor furnuture, and ensured response teams will be available if needed on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
• Duke transit will continue to operate as long as it is safe to do so. Community members are encouraged to check Duke TransLoc for real-time updates to routes.
• Some athletics events such as Duke Softball have been postponed or rescheduled due to the weather, however, the Duke Football game on Saturday is still scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff at home.
• The Duke University Marine Lab in Beaufort has prepared facilities for any potential impacts.
• For power outages for Duke facilities on or off campus, please call Facilities Management Department customer service at 919-684-2122 or send email to FMD Report Power Out fmd-report-power-out@duke.edu. Please include the physical address of the building.

[Update: Thursday, Sept. 29: 12:35 p.m.]

A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for central North Carolina with strongest winds and heaviest rain expected from Friday afternoon through early morning Saturday. Wind gusts could reach 40-50 mph and could result in downed trees and power outages in the region. 

The National Weather Service expects an average of 2-6 inches of rain that could lead to localized flooding, especially in low-lying areas. There is a small chance of tornadoes on Friday, primarily east of Interstate 95. 

[Original Post]

Duke officials are closely monitoring the latest forecasts for Tropical Storm Ian as it makes it way toward North Carolina with the possibility for heavy rain, strong winds and flooding beginning Thursday night.

Hurricane Ian made landfall in Florida on Wednesday and later became a tropical storm as it crossed over Florida. Later today the storm is expected make landfall again in Georgia and South Carolina.

The National Weather Service is projecting 2-6 inches of rain in central North Carolina from late Friday through Sunday. Heavy downpours could result in flash flooding, especially in low-lying areas. Wind gust of up to 40 mph are possible Friday through Saturday, and there is a slight possibility of isolated tornadoes. Any loose items outdoors should be secured or moved by late Thursday as a precaution.

“Given both the size of this storm and potential for state-wide impact, preparations are well underway at both campuses here in Durham and in Beaufort” said Chloe Hallberg, executive director for Business Continuity and Emergency Management

Hallberg suggested that members of the Duke community who have not yet registered for DukeALERT text messaging are encouraged to do so at Duke’s Emergency Management website. 

Heavy rains and winds will increase the potential for downed trees. Crews will be standing by to respond to needs on campus.

If localized flooding occurs, individuals should report the incident to Facilities Management (campus) at 919-684-2122 or Engineering & Operations (Duke Hospital/Medical Center) at 919-684-3232. The rain combined with higher winds could result in a few downed trees. Downed trees on campus should be reported to Duke Police at 919-684-2444.

A host of events and activities are planned on Duke’s main campus as part of Homecoming Weekend. Officials have taken precautions around planned outdoor activities and at this time athletics games on Friday and Saturday are to be played as scheduled. Any operational adjustments will be communicated in advance. Individuals are encouraged to monitor Duke Today and GoDuke.com as conditions change.

Given the possibility of severe weather conditions, employees are encouraged to review Duke's severe weather and emergency conditions policy to ensure they understand what to do if the policy is activated.

If the severe weather policy is activated, the announcement will be made through the various DukeALERT channels, including email, text message, and Duke's emergency website. A message also will be recorded on the severe weather/emergency conditions telephone line at 919-684-INFO (4636).

This story will be updated as conditions change or circumstances warrant. Please follow Working@Duke on Twitter for updates as needed.