Converse Prepares for Hurricane Irma
The Converse College Emergency Preparedness and Response Team is closely monitoring the weather forecast for Hurricane Irma and taking steps to prepare for the storm. At present, there are varying forecasts and projections regarding the path Irma may take. We monitor all communication from the South Carolina and Spartanburg County Emergency Management officials, and will implement plans and send campus communications as needed while the situation unfolds.
As of now, the College is open for business as usual. We will alert faculty, staff and students via the communications channels outlined below if this changes.
As always, please take precautions and use wise judgment for your safety. The well-being of our students, faculty and staff is Converse College’s highest priority.
COMMUNICATION CHANNELS
- Converse will communicate general updates and information via Converse email accounts and on the Converse Facebook page.
- Urgent messages needing immediate delivery will be sent through the Converse E2Campus emergency alert system as well as other communications channels. If members of the Converse community have not already done so, subscribe to E2Campus emergency alerts (or log in to update contact info if it has changed). E2Campus alerts will NOT be received unless individuals subscribe through this permission-based, opt-in system.
- If necessary, an emergency scrolling alert will be placed on the Converse website homepage. Lengthier updates such as this will be posted as news stories on the website homepage.
- In the event of extended power loss, communications across campus will be conveyed via Residential Life Staff members directly to students on each residence hall floor. Off-campus community members should continue to follow E2Campus and email alerts.
- Community members may wish to download the South Carolina 511 app from the SCDOT to follow statewide road conditions, traffic incident locations, congested routes, interstate video cameras and more. Also, stay tuned to local news stations (WSPA-7, WYFF-4, FOXCarolina 21) and the National Weather Service.
STEPS TO TAKE NOW
It is recommended that all members of the Converse community take the following steps to be prepared:
- Subscribe to Converse E2Campus emergency alerts in order to receive urgent campus notifications and instructions.
- Be sure to let family and Converse Residential Life Staff know if you plan to leave campus for an extended period of time this weekend.
- Keep a flashlight and fresh batteries on-hand.
- Keep phones charged.
- Keep rain boots handy.
- Fill cars with gasoline now to have enough fuel for normal travel needs over the next week.
- Continue to be prepared for and attend class.
CAMPUS PREPARATIONS
Converse has worked with Sodexo and The Budd Group to procure the necessary items for providing food and shelter to residential students for an extended period should we experience high winds, intense rain, or loss of power. If food service hours or plans should change due to storm conditions, this will be communicated via the above channels. Critical personnel have plans in place to service residential students on campus in the event of severe conditions, in addition to the support provided by our full-time, live-in residence hall staff and other staff members who may stay on campus overnight if needed.
REGIONAL & STATEWIDE TRAVEL
Regional and statewide travel will be challenging as many people evacuate Florida and coastal areas. Today, the Governor of South Carolina issued an order to reverse interstate lanes between the coast and Columbia beginning Saturday at 10 AM to aid in evacuations. Students are encouraged not to travel in areas that are expected to be highly impacted by the storm.