UCF Navigates Hurricane Milton: A Timeline of Preparations and Recovery
As Hurricane Milton approached Central Florida, the University of Central Florida (UCF) took proactive measures to ensure the safety and well-being of its students, faculty, and staff. This article outlines the timeline of UCF's response to Hurricane Milton, from initial preparations to the resumption of normal operations.
Preparations and Precautions
Suspending Operations (October 6-11)
In anticipation of Hurricane Milton's arrival, UCF announced the suspension of operations on all campuses and for all classes, including online classes, from Tuesday, October 8, through Thursday, October 10. This decision, made on October 6, aimed to provide the UCF community with ample time to leave the area, prepare for the storm, and safely return. Friday, October 11, was also included in the suspension.
Encouraging Students to Return Home
Students were strongly encouraged to return home by Tuesday evening if they were able to do so. For those who chose to remain in UCF Housing, they were advised to use the coming days to prepare for the storm.
Supporting Students' Safety
Faculty members were urged to understand students' need to prioritize their personal safety during this period. This included being flexible with academic assignments and exams originally scheduled during the emergency closure, which were to be postponed until normal operations resumed.
Securing Research Facilities
Research faculty were granted access to their labs until noon on Tuesday, October 8. This allowed them time to secure essential research and equipment. After this time, labs became inaccessible to allow Facilities time to sandbag and secure buildings to prevent water intrusion during the storm.
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UCF Housing Protocols
While UCF Housing remained open for residents who had no other place to go, students who chose to stay in their residence halls were informed that they would not be permitted to leave their buildings during the storm. It was emphasized that students remaining in housing would be responsible for their own personal safety and comfort, as UCF Housing staff, police, and medical services might not be readily available during the storm. The university also could not guarantee electricity, water, Wi-Fi, and food. Guests were not permitted in UCF Housing, and violators were subject to Student Conduct and Academic Integrity referrals.
Communication and Monitoring
UCF's Emergency Management team maintained active communication with the local National Weather Service office in Melbourne and the National Hurricane Center to ensure the university had the latest information. Updates were regularly shared through UCF Alert, ucf.edu/hurricane, and social media channels.
Hurricane Impact and Assessment
Assessing Campus Conditions
Following the storm, a comprehensive assessment of UCF's campuses and local conditions was conducted to determine the extent of the damage and the feasibility of resuming normal operations.
Varied Impact
The impact of Hurricane Milton varied across the region, with some locations experiencing catastrophic damage. This meant that some students, faculty, and staff might face challenges in returning to classes or work.
Resumption of Operations
Reopening and Classes
UCF reopened for normal operations as planned on Saturday, October 12, with all classes resuming on Monday, October 14. All academic assignments and exams, including for all classes with online components, remained suspended until Monday.
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Campus Services
Campus services began to reopen to provide students with access to dining and recreation.
Support for Impacted Students
Recognizing that some students might struggle with returning to academics on Monday, UCF provided a form for students impacted by Hurricane Milton to request assistance.
Ongoing Communication and Resources
Continued Updates
Updated information continued to be shared on ucf.edu/hurricane and social media to keep the UCF community informed.
Emergency Management Team
UCF’s Emergency Management team works to prevent, prepare for, manage, and recover from a variety of threats to UCF, including severe weather.
Hurricane Safety Kits and Plans
UCF encourages students and employees to put together their own hurricane safety kits and to create a plan with their loved ones should a storm impact Central Florida. It’s important to notify family members of your location and safety, understanding that cell phone service and access to local phones in the Central Florida area could be disrupted.
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Protecting Personal Possessions
Students were advised to take measures to protect personal possessions left behind, as the university is not responsible for loss or damage to UCF Housing residents’ belongings. This includes shutting off computers, saving important items, and locking doors when occupants are not in the room or apartment. Residents with cars were able to park their vehicles in parking garages A or B with a valid UCF parking permit.
Shelter Preparedness
Individuals moving to a shelter or ride-out location were advised to be prepared to stay there for several days while the storm passes, bringing essential personal belongings and activities to keep busy.
Faculty and Staff Workspace Security
Faculty and staff were instructed to ensure their workspace was protected and secure, bringing personal belongings home in case of building or office damage. Student-serving offices were to have signage indicating closure and phones set to out-of-office.
UCF Alert System
Information was disseminated through UCF Alert, accessible with a NID and password.
Understanding Hurricanes and Community Support
Hurricane Characteristics
Hurricanes are large storms that produce fast winds and heavy rain, potentially causing heavy flooding, power outages, and other hazardous damage.
Knights Pantry
UCF encourages donations of extra, unneeded hurricane supplies to Knights Pantry, which provides food, toiletries, and clothing to students in need.
Expert Perspectives
Claire Connolly Knox, Ph.D., an associate professor in the School of Public Administration and serves as the emergency management and homeland security program director, has focused her research on emergency management, coastal hazards and coastal resiliency. Axel Stock, a marketing professor, has expertise in product scarcity.
