BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University’s Boone campus has sustained significant impacts from the flooding and storm damage caused by Hurricane Helene — which North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper described as “one of the worst storms in modern history for parts of Western North Carolina.”
The university is working to assess and respond to damages at its Boone campus, while remaining focused on the safety and well-being of the campus community. App State is in close collaboration with the Town of Boone, Watauga County, American Red Cross, the University of North Carolina System, and local, state and federal agencies to provide resources and support for students, faculty and staff, as well as local community members affected by the hurricane.
“We are so grateful to the emergency responders, volunteers and utility providers, and so many others, for their incredible work,” said App State Interim Chancellor Heather Norris. “We are actively working to support our campus community as well as assist the Town of Boone and Watauga County.
“While our classes and all App State events scheduled in the Boone area, including athletics events, remain canceled, we have begun planning for our academic continuity,” Norris said. “We have a long way to go to fully recover. In tough times, Mountaineers lean on one another. I thank you all for your commitment to caring for one another — and please remember to take care of yourselves.”
In support of the campus and local community, the university and Red Cross have coordinated to open an emergency shelter in the Holmes Convocation Center, and App State Campus Dining continues to prepare hot meals for campus and community members, free of charge, at Central Dining Hall. Since Sept. 27, the Campus Dining team has prepared and served more than 40,000 meals to anyone who has needed them. Campus Wi-Fi access points are also available to the public.
According to University Housing, of the more than 6,000 students who reside in residence halls at App State’s Boone campus, approximately 1,000 were on campus as of Oct. 2. All residence halls remain structurally sound and have access to power, water and internet. On-campus and off-campus students also have access to hot meals, health services, fitness centers, showers, laundry services and IT support. Faculty and staff have access to many of these services as well.
Classes are canceled at the App State Boone and Hickory campuses through Oct. 15.
App State students, faculty and staff, as well as local community members and the public, can visit appstatealert.com for regularly updated emergency messages and other important campus safety information.
This brief video provides a look at App State’s Boone campus after the impacts of Hurricane Helene. The university continues to assess and respond to the damage to its Boone campus while working to support the campus community as well as assist the Town of Boone and Watauga County.
On Oct. 1, App State held a joint press conference at its McKinney Alumni Center, with representatives from the university, the Town of Boone and Watauga County sharing updates and answering questions about the ongoing response efforts related to Hurricane Helene.
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About Appalachian State University
As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, affordable education for all. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.
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