Skip to main content

Appalachian Today

News and events at Appalachian State University
  • Subscribe
  • For the media
  • Contact
  • Events
  • Webcams
  • Podcasts
  • In the News
  • Research & Arts
  • Awards
  • Experts
  • All News
  • Topics
  • Accolades
  • Alumni
  • Arts and Humanities
  • Athletics
  • Awards and Honors
  • Community Engagement
  • Diversity
  • Events
  • Faculty and Staff
  • Gifts and Grants
  • Global
  • Health and Wellness
  • Publications
  • Research and Creative Works
  • Safety
  • Scholarships
  • Students
  • Sustainability
☰ Menu
  • Events
  • Webcams
  • Podcasts
  • In the News
  • Research & Arts
  • Awards
  • Experts
  • All News
  • Topics
  • Subscribe
  • For the media
  • Contact

Update on Hurricane Florence

Appalachian’s Emergency Management gives Saturday update on Florence; encourages planning, safety, staying informed
Appalachian’s Emergency Management gives Saturday update on Florence; encourages planning, safety, staying informed
Sep. 15, 2018

The university continues to encourage preparation while monitoring the Florence storm track Saturday afternoon.

Read the story
Posted Sep. 15, 2018 at 2:54 p.m.

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,

As we continue monitoring the Hurricane Florence storm track, confidence is increasing we will experience significant heavy rainfall, flooding and damaging winds.

Please know the forecast is still developing, but we are encouraging continued preparation.

Below please find important information:

The latest information on class cancellation and employee adverse weather status is at AppStateAlert.com.

Readiness continues

In accordance with established emergency readiness plans, the university continues to prepare:

  • Buildings have been made ready: roof drains cleared, sandbags and gravel are on hand and in place.
  • Flood maintenance/repair supplies checked.
  • Food and water supplies are stocked.
  • Teams are in place to stay on campus and on call during storm.
  • Storm drains are clear of obstructions, temporary flood barriers are in place.
  • We are coordinating with local and state partners should we need to implement emergency response plans.

Housing and dining for students

Residence halls and dining facilities will remain open. Residence halls are being carefully monitored and dining facilities have stocked up on extra food and water.

Additionally, the university has set up a temporary shelter for off-campus students, faculty and staff in need of safe shelter. The Quinn Center at 303 Stadium Drive will open at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 15.

What you should do

Prepare and plan

  • Discuss with your family and significant other: if you had to evacuate from your home, where would you go and how would you get there?
  • Make sure you have more than one way to communicate.
  • Charge your phones and essential electronics.
  • Fill up water bottles from your sink – you don’t have to buy bottled water.
  • Consider where you have parked your car. On campus, some lots are prone to flooding.
  • Stay calm, and have a plan — it’s always good to have a readiness kit.

Be safe

  • Our biggest concern is rain. Heavy rainfall can bring with it the potential for landslides and flooding.
  • Unless absolutely necessary, don’t drive in severe weather.
  • NEVER drive through flooded streets or around barricades — they are there to protect people from danger.
  • Fast-moving water, even if it is pretty shallow, is dangerous. It takes only 6 inches of fast-moving water to knock over an adult. 12 inches of rushing water can carry away a small car, and 2 feet can carry away most vehicles.
  • Tornadoes aren’t common in this area, but there is a small chance we might see some. Be sure you know how you would get alerts at night.
  • Resist the urge to throw large objects into storm drains and fast-moving water. This causes flooding hazards and is unsafe for maintenance workers who are trying to keep drains clear of obstructions.

Stay informed

  • Stay alert for messages that will be sent to you via your appstate email.
  • Register for text alerts at http://appstatealert.com
  • Messages related to class closings and cancellations are emailed, posted to appstatealert.com, distributed to local media and posted to university Facebook and Twitter accounts.
  • Use reliable sources — Monitor AppStateAlert.com and appstate email addresses for important university updates. Watauga County Emergency Management and Boone Police have official social media accounts — be sure you know where your information is coming from.
  • Visit ReadyNC.org and/or download the ReadyNC mobile app for helpful tips and safety information.
  • Visit National Weather Service or National Hurricane Center websites for weather forecast and safety information.

Parking

During the time that classes are cancelled, gates to restricted parking areas are lifted and students, faculty, staff and the public can park in those lots. Always be mindful of signage. Some lots are prone to flooding.

Will the AppalCart run?

Monitor www.appalcart.com for AppalCART schedules, delays or cancellations. You can also download the Nextbus App.

What if my power goes out?

Be sure to prepare in case this happens. Make sure your phone is charged and you have batteries on hand in case you need them.

New River Light & Power is making preparations to help and/or receive assistance from other utilities across the state. Follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for updates. Customers with questions related to NRLP electric service, or who need to report an outage, should call at 828-264-3671.

What events are being cancelled?

Many events scheduled to take place on campus are being canceled or re-scheduled, but Student Affairs is making sure there are things to do. To avoid confusion, be sure to check with the presenter of any event you are planning to attend. Many of us are monitoring the weather and the ability for guest presenters to travel to our campus. Event presenters should work through their managers and advisers to determine whether or not to cancel or postpone events. Please note: If you are canceling an event, you should use the same method to announce a cancellation that you did to publicize the event. Pay particular attention to places on the web you have placed notifications. Wherever your event is listed on the web, you should be sure to post any updates to that same location.

A note on terminology

On the news and in weather announcements, you may notice the National Weather Service will now be using the terms “Tropical Storm Watch” or “Tropical Storm Warning” rather than “high wind warnings” or “wind advisories” to describe wind speeds. As in the past, these announcements will include wind speed information so you are fully informed.

Links for further information

  • http://appstatealert.com
  • https://readync.org
  • https://www.weather.gov/akq/Florence

We will provide regular updates as we learn more about the storm track and what this will mean for our campus, our off-campus students, faculty and staff, and the surrounding area.

Thank you,

Jason Marshburn
Director, Environmental Health, Safety, and Emergency Management
Appalachian State University
Boone, NC 28608
Office: 828-262-8081
Cell: 828-406-7610
Email: [email protected]

Are YOU Ready Mountaineers?
https://ehsem.appstate.edu
@ReadyAPPSTATE

Appalachian’s Emergency Management gives Saturday update on Florence; encourages planning, safety, staying informed
Appalachian’s Emergency Management gives Saturday update on Florence; encourages planning, safety, staying informed
Sep. 15, 2018

The university continues to encourage preparation while monitoring the Florence storm track Saturday afternoon.

Read the story

What do you think?

Share your feedback on this story.

Share

Topics

  • Safety

What do you think?

Share your feedback on this story.

Archives

Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.

If you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian State University Podcasts
  • Stories and press releases published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found in University Communications Records at the Special Collections Research Center.
  • A university-wide Google Calendar may be found at Events at Appalachian

What do you think?

Share your feedback on this story.

Share

Topics

  • Safety

Other Recent Posts

  • App State nutrition students empower Watauga’s young athletes to use food as fuel for athletic performance
    App State nutrition students empower Watauga’s young athletes to use food as fuel for athletic performance
  • App State’s New River Light and Power awards scholarships to 7 Watauga County students
    App State’s New River Light and Power awards scholarships to 7 Watauga County students
  • 20 App State ROTC cadets commissioned to serve as Army second lieutenants
    20 App State ROTC cadets commissioned to serve as Army second lieutenants
  • App State awarded $2.3M to advance innovation in NC agriculture
    App State awarded $2.3M to advance innovation in NC agriculture
  • Kristen S. Bonatz appointed general counsel and vice chancellor of institutional integrity at App State
    Kristen S. Bonatz appointed general counsel and vice chancellor of institutional integrity at App State
  • Campus emergency siren test to be conducted June 4
    Campus emergency siren test to be conducted June 4
  • App State student-athletes extend 3.0 GPA streak to 26 straight semesters
    App State student-athletes extend 3.0 GPA streak to 26 straight semesters
  • App State nursing program receives $1 million commitment from Bedford Falls Foundation
    App State nursing program receives $1 million commitment from Bedford Falls Foundation
  • 4 new and reappointed App State Board of Trustees members to begin new terms July 1
    4 new and reappointed App State Board of Trustees members to begin new terms July 1
  • App State awards degrees to over 4,200 graduates ready to shape the future
    App State awards degrees to over 4,200 graduates ready to shape the future
  • Student research and creative projects spotlighted at App State’s annual showcase
    Student research and creative projects spotlighted at App State’s annual showcase
  • Will Sears appointed vice chancellor of university advancement at App State
    Will Sears appointed vice chancellor of university advancement at App State

Archives

Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.

If you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian State University Podcasts
  • Stories and press releases published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found in University Communications Records at the Special Collections Research Center.
  • A university-wide Google Calendar may be found at Events at Appalachian
  • Events
  • Videos
  • Galleries
  • In the News
  • Research & Arts
  • Awards
  • Experts
  • All News
  • Topics
  • Subscribe
  • For the media
  • COVID updates
  • Contact

App State

Copyright 2025 Appalachian State University. All rights reserved.

University Communications
ASU Box 32153
Boone, NC 28608
828-262-6156
[email protected]

Abouts

Disclaimer | EO Policy | Accessibility | Website manager: montaldipa (beltmr) .. | Website Feedback

Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram LinkedIn Snapchat