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Weather plan recap guides staff, students All MUSC employees, students, contract employees and volunteers must have a working knowledge of their department’s or college’s emergency preparedness plan.   Employees should establish a personal emergency preparedness plan. MUSC is not a designated emergency shelter and will not act as one during a disaster. Only designated employees will be allowed on the campus during an emergency. Definitions Weather watch—An announcement indicating weather conditions may become hazardous within 36 hours. Weather warning—An announcement indicating weather conditions may become hazardous within 24 (or less) hours. Weather emergency—An announcement indicating weather conditions have advanced to a threatening/dangerous stage. This announcement means the suspected dangerous weather conditions are expected to begin within hours of the announcement. Gale warning—Winds of 39-55 mph are expected in the area designated. Storm warnings—Winds of 55 mph or greater are expected in the area designated. Hurricane watch—Hurricane conditions are possible within 36 hours. Hurricane warning—A hurricane is expected within 24 hours. Hurricane evacuation The primary goal of the MUSC evacuation plan is to ensure that the evacuation of students and non-designated employees of the MUSC community is conducted in an orderly manner. Based on information gathered from the Charleston County Emergency Preparedness Division, the South Carolina Emergency Preparedness Division, the National Hurricane Center, and the Medical Center disaster coordinator, the director of University Risk Management will determine when it is necessary to recommend the evacuation of MUSC. Once this determination is made, the director of University Risk Management will notify the president, vice president for academic affairs, and the vice president for finance and administration of the recommendation to initiate the evacuation plan for MUSC. Upon authorization, the first phase of evacuation will begin with students, followed by notification to all non-designated personnel. Students School closing policy In the event a tropical storm threatens the area, students (undergraduate, graduate, and post doctorate) should follow the instructions of university, city, county, and state authorities.   State Emergency Response Team’s Buddy Jordan of the S.C. Emergency Management Division (SCEMD) talks with an MUSC employee about communications equipment aboard the Mobile Center. SCEMD was among several organizations that participated in MUSC’s annual Hurricane Awareness Day held May 23. When such events disrupt or have the potential to disrupt scheduled classes and clinical rotations, the vice president for academic affairs will decide when to cancel or delay starting times of scheduled classes and clinical rotations. The decision will be made after considering information conveyed by the director of University Risk Management, gathered from weather authorities and local emergency preparation officials.   Cancellations will be determined for classes and clinical rotations at the same time. The vice president for academic affairs will notify the director of University Risk Management of the decision to cancel classes. The director of University Risk Management will coordinate efforts to make the appropriate announcements of class cancellations or delays. These announcements will be made as far in advance of a predicted event as possible.   In the event classes and clinicals are canceled, all students are considered “non-designated” personnel. Faculty and staff may not ask, direct, require, or coerce any student into remaining on campus once a decision has been made to cancel classes and clinicals. Students who are also employees of the university or the Medical Center should follow the disaster preparedness policies of their respective departments. Resuming classes The vice president for academic affairs will determine when scheduled classes and clinical rotations will resume and will notify the director of Risk Management, who will coordinate efforts to publicize this information as quickly as possible. The decision to resume classes will be based on information provided by university, city, county, and state officials. It is the student’s responsibility to remain informed of such announcements. Communication Information regarding school closings and cancellations will also be available through the red alert button on the MUSC home page, local television and radio stations, the internal MUSC Broadcast Message system, and the MUSC dial-in information number, 792-MUSC (6872). This emergency line will be available at all times during hurricane season, providing up-to-date information on tropical storms approaching the South Carolina coast, and as needed for other disasters and emergencies. Evacuation Students (undergraduate, graduate, and post-doctorate, excluding residents) should begin evacuating or preparing to evacuate at the announcement of cancelled classes and rotations. Shelters MUSC students who are without a safe place to which they can evacuate are responsible for notifying their colleges. Individual colleges will maintain an accurate and all-inclusive list of their students in need of assistance in a weather emergency. It is the student’s responsibility to notify his or her college dean’s office in order to be included on this listing. At the announcement of canceled classes and in the event students are asked to evacuate, these students should report to the Basic Science Building Auditorium to be transported to the nearest shelter. University Risk Management will coordinate with University Transportation Services to satisfy transportation needs. Once conditions are safe (as determined by state and local officials), University Transportation Services will pick up MUSC students from the shelter(s) and transport them back to the Education Center/Library. Students will not be allowed to stay on campus once the decision has been made to evacuate. Hurricane watch is issued Listen to NOAA Weather Radio or local radio or TV stations for up-to-date storm information. Prepare to bring inside lawn furniture, outdoor decorations or ornaments, trash cans, hanging plants and anything else that can be picked up by the wind. Prepare to cover all windows of your home. If shutters have not been installed, use precut plywood as described above. Tape does not prevent windows from breaking, so taping windows is not recommended. Fill your car’s gas tank. Check batteries and stock up on canned food, first aid supplies, drinking water and medications. Hurricane warning is issued Listen to the advice of local officials. If you are not advised to evacuate, stay indoors, away from windows. Be aware that the calm “eye” is deceptive; the storm is not over. The worst part of the storm will happen once the eye passes over and the winds blow from the opposite direction. Be alert for tornadoes. Stay away from flood waters. After a hurricane Keep listening to NOAA Weather Radio, or local radio or TV stations for instructions. If you are evacuated, return home when officials tell you it is safe and inspect your home for damage. Use flashlights in the dark; do not use candles. The complete plan is available at http://www.musc.edu/weatheremergency/.    2007 Hurricanes Andrea* Barry** Chantal Dean Erin Felix Gabrielle Humberto Ingrid Jerry Karen Llorenzo Melissa Noel Olga Pablo Rebekah Sebastien Tanya Van Wendy * Became a tropical storm May 9 **Became a tropical storm June 2   MUSC gears up for ‘busy’ hurricane season by Megan Fink Public Relations Predictions are out for this year’s hurricane season, and according to forecasters, it’s going to be busy. The season officially began June 1, and forecasters at the National Weather Service expect up to 17 tropical systems to form in the Atlantic Basin during the next six months. Up to 10 of these storms could strengthen to hurricanes, with three to five becoming major hurricanes. Considering this year’s outlook and the not-forgotten memories of Hugo and Katrina, residents should heed the warnings and begin their preparations.   In recognition of Hurricane Preparedness Week, MUSC held its Hurricane Awareness Day May 23 in the Horseshoe and portico. The National Weather Service (NWS), South Carolina Emergency Management Division and WCBD Channel 2 were just a few of the exhibitors handing out informative pamphlets and hurricane-related checklists at this year’s event. The consistent message for students and staff was preparation and early evacuation, if necessary. “Only one storm that hits the community means it’s a bad season,” said Jon Jelsema, NWS meteorologist.   Disaster prevention begins with planning. Sharing concerns about home hazards, insurance coverage and shelter locations keeps families informed and capable of a quick execution. In addition, a family plan should contain evacuation routes and contact information for out-of-state friends or relatives. If phone lines and cell-phone towers are down, this contact often serves as the liaison for the family. Besides personal arrangements, staff is reminded to update  its departmental disaster plans.   Whether you decide to evacuate or stay in your home, supplies are needed to sustain you for at least three days. Emergency Management’s Joe Farmer distributed guides that included tips for self-sufficiency during a storm. Farmer said their top priority is “for people to survive, because cities and buildings can be rebuilt.”     Nonperishable food items and water are essential, but don’t forget about personal medications, sleeping materials and important documents. A small amount of cash also is recommended, because ATMs may not be operating. Anything that you would need to survive three to four days without electricity should be included in your disaster-supply kit.   Evacuations and lane reversals are issued by the governor, who works closely with local officials monitoring the storm’s approach. Residents leaving the area are asked to use their appropriate evacuation route, which can be located in most hurricane guides and on the South Carolina Department of Transportation’s Web site (http://www.scdot.org). The state highway patrol’s goal is to direct people away from Interstate 26 unless that is their designated exit. I-26 is the assigned path for residents of James Island, Folly Beach, City of Charleston, and East of the Cooper.   Students are expected to follow the MUSC Severe Weather Plan if a storm looms off the coast. This reference explains the process of class and clinical cancellation, evacuation and personal safety, and the resumption of campus activities. MUSC’s info line, which is 792-MUSC, is the best avenue to obtain current announcements. Local television and radio stations, MUSC’s Internet home page and broadcast e-mail system also are valuable resources during a weather emergency.   “We had an inactive season last year when they predicted an active one,” said Wayne Brannan, director of MUSC Risk Management. “When Hugo came, it was a below-normal season, and we know what we got. So, no matter what the numbers show, don’t be complacent.” Friday, June 8, 2007 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.