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Hurricane Instructions for USF Residents

(ARGOS – ANDROS – MAGNOLIA)

All students will be alerted by the Residence Services Staff to prepare for a hurricane. Depending on each resident's personal circumstances, THOSE RESIDENTS DESIRING TO RETIRE TO THEIR HOMES OR LEAVE THE STORMS PATH SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO DO SO. Students are requested to keep their radios tuned to a local station for storm advisories and general information. The following procedures are recommended in order to provide the maximum amount of safety and protection for those students remaining in our Residence Halls. The University, however, is not responsible for damages to or loss of personal property because of a hurricane.

Preparation Before the Hurricane Strikes

  1. All furniture, including beds, should be pulled away from the windows. Stereos and radios should be placed off the floor.
  2. Since the floors can get wet, all articles such as shoes, rugs, clothes bags, suitcases, etc., should be placed on closet shelves or in dresser drawers. Ground Floor residents should put all articles up off the floor and be prepared to evacuate upstairs in the event of flooding.
  3. All loose objects should be placed in drawers or closets. Paper, books, etc., should not be left on tops of desks or dressers.
  4. Valuables should be placed in safekeeping. The closets and drawers should be closed throughout the hurricane. All doors should be locked when the occupants are not in the room or apartment.
  5. Those students who reside in facilities that are equipped with bathtubs are requested to clean the tub and fill it halfway with water. Clean and fill wastebaskets with water. If the hurricane is a major storm, our water supply may be cut off. If this were the case, the water stored would be needed for washing and flushing toilets. Fill several smaller containers with water for drinking purposes. If more drinking water is needed it will be made available through the Resident Assistant as soon as possible. Refrigerator should be turned to the coldest setting.
  6. All windows must be closed tightly. All window blinds should be closed.
  7. Any resident who owns a car should see that the emergency brake is set and in reverse gear (standard transmission) or park. All windows should be closed and the car locked. All cars must remain in assigned parking areas.
  8. Each student should provide his own flashlight in case of power failure. DO NOT USE CANDLES OR OTHER FLAME-TYPE LIGHTING UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES; FIRE IS UNCONTROLLABLE DURING A HURRICANE. Use battery-powered lighting only!
  9. Residents should provide their own snack items, such as crackers, cookies, peanuts, etc. The cafeteria personnel will provide food within the Residence Halls or apartments when it is impossible for the students to come to the dining hall. If food must be brought to the halls or apartments, the Residence Services Staff will notify all students of the schedule and place of serving. Do not cook with charcoal or flame as poisonous fumes are released and could be lethal in a confined area.
  10. RESIDENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO GO TO THEIR HOMES OR OUT OF THE PATH OF THE STORM AFTER SIGNING-OUT WITH A MEMBER OF THE RESIDENCE SERVICES STAFF.

Procedures During the Hurricane

It is essential that all residents stay indoors throughout the entire hurricane. Residents must not leave their living units until directed to do so by the Residence Services Staff. During the peak of the storm, for maximum protection, residents are to close room or bedroom doors and remain in the hallways. If you are not familiar with a hurricane, be aware that there is always a lull in the storm when the eye passes through the area. Once the eye passes through, the storm begins again, but from the opposite direction. For your protection, we ask you again, please stay INDOORS!

Residents should proceed to the interior corridors of the Residence Halls and remain away from danger areas, such as the glass windows and doors in the lobby areas of the halls or the bedrooms. In the event of power failure during the height of a hurricane, there will be no elevator service. Do not attempt to travel between floors. First Aid and/or food service will be made available whenever the storm passes or power is restored.

  1. Do not attempt to open windows or doors to see what is happening outside.
  2. Report all accidents, injuries, broken windows, or excessive water to the Resident Assistant.
  3. Telephone calls should be made only in case of an emergency, such as those mentioned in item No. 5.
  4. "Hurricane Parties" are only for the movies. Please do not drink alcohol. Everyone needs to think clearly during a hurricane.
  5. RESIDENT DIRECTORS (RD’s) will be available in the following Residence Hall lobbies: Kosove, Beta, Betty Castor, Delta, Kappa, Epsilon, Mu, Holly “M”, and Magnolia Office.
  6. If everyone remains calm, stays inside and observes all of the above instructions and precautions, danger will be minimized. If anyone has any questions, please contact the Resident Assistant.

(HOLLY NORTH & SOUTH)

All students will be alerted by the Residence Services Staff to prepare for a hurricane. Depending on each resident's personal circumstances, those residents desiring to retire to their homes should be encouraged to do so. Students are requested to keep their radios tuned to a local station for storm advisories and general information. The following procedures are recommended in order to provide the maximum amount of safety and protection for those students residing in our Residence Halls. The University, however, is not responsible for damages to or loss of personal property because of a hurricane.

Preparation Before the Hurricane Strikes

  1. All furniture, including beds, should be pulled away from the windows. Put stereos, radios up off the floor.
  2. Since the floors can get wet, all articles such as shoes, rugs, clothes bags, suitcases, etc., should be placed on closet shelves or in dresser drawers. Ground Floor residents should put all articles up off the floor and be prepared to evacuate upstairs in case of flooding.
  3. Place all loose objects in drawers or closets. Paper, books, etc. should be secured away somewhere.
  4. Place all valuables in safekeeping. Close all closets and drawers. Lock all doors when not in the room or apartment.
  5. Those students who reside in facilities that are equipped with bathtubs need to clean the tub and fill it halfway with water. Clean and fill wastebaskets with water. If the hurricane is a major storm, our water supply may be cut off. If this were the case, the water stored would be needed for washing and flushing toilets. Fill several smaller containers with water for drinking purposes. If more drinking water is needed it will be made available through the Resident Assistant as soon as possible. Set refrigerator to the coldest setting.
  6. All windows must be closed tightly and all curtains should be closed.
  7. Any resident who owns a car should see that the emergency brake is set and in reverse gear (standard transmission) or park. Close all windows and lock the car. All cars must remain in assigned parking areas.
  8. Each student should provide his own flashlight in case of power failure. Do not use candles or other flame-type lighting under any circumstances, fire is uncontrollable during a hurricane. Use battery-powered lighting only!
  9. Residents should provide their own snack items, such as crackers, cookies, peanuts, etc. The cafeteria personnel will provide food within the Residence Halls or apartments when it is impossible for the students to come to the dining hall. If bringing food into the halls or apartments, the Residence Services taff will notify all students of the schedule and place of serving. Do not cook with charcoal as poisonous fumes are released and could be lethal in a confined area.
  10. Residents from the Tampa area who desire to go to their homes may do so after signing-out with a member of the Residence Services Staff.
  11. "Hurricane Parties" are only for the movies. Please do not drink alcohol. Everyone needs to think clearly during a hurricane.

(VILLAGE)

All students will be alerted by the Residence Services Staff to prepare for a hurricane. Depending on each resident's personal circumstances, THOSE RESIDENTS DESIRING TO RETIRE TO THEIR HOMES OR LEAVE THE STORMS PATH SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO DO SO. We ask every student to keep his radio tuned to a local station for storm advisories and general information. For your personal protection and welfare, we ask that you follow this list of instructions. The University, however, is not responsible for damages to, or loss of, personal property because of a hurricane.

Preparation Before the Hurricane Strikes

  1. Fill cooking utensils with water for drinking purposes and store them in your refrigerator. Make extra ice. Turn the freezer to its coldest setting.
  2. Fill bathtub with water for washing and flushing toilets, etc., in case water supply is shut off.
  3. Close windows and make sure locks are fastened. Close all curtains. Residents should take all potted plants, BBQ hibachis, etc. inside.
  4. In case water blows in, remove everything from the floor; move furniture to a dry area away from the windows.
  5. Provide yourself with flashlights in case of a power failure.
  6. Provide yourself with enough canned food and other non-perishable food items to last you for two or three days. Your electricity may be turned off, therefore eliminating any cooking. Do not rely on electric can openers.
  7. If you vacate your residence prior to the storm, please make sure all windows and doors are secure. We ask that you inform your Resident Assistant where you can be located.
  8. Report all accidents, injuries, broken windows or excessive water to the Village Office.
  9. Telephone calls should be made only in the case of an emergency, such as those mentioned previously.
  10. All automobiles must remain in the assigned parking areas. Park as close together as possible, and leave your car in reverse gear (standard transmission) or park with the emergency brake on. All windows should be closed and your car locked.
  11. "Hurricane Parties" are only for the movies. Please do not drink alcohol. Everyone needs to think clearly during a hurricane.
  12. SHOULD THE SITUATION DICTATE, BE PREPARED TO MOVE TO THE INTERIOR OF A RESIDENCE HALL, AS ASSIGNED, IN EITHER THE ARGOS OR ANDROS AREA. IF MOVEMENT TO ANOTHER RESIDENCE AREA IS DIRECTED, YOU SHOULD CARRY WITH YOU A SMALL DUFFEL BAG CONTAINING A BLANKET AND PERSONAL COMFORT ITEMS. AFTER LEAVING YOUR ROOM, PLEASE BE SURE THAT YOUR DOOR IS LOCKED.

Please Note:

The RESIDENT DIRECTOR (RD) will be available in the Village Office. Should Village Residents be required to move to the interior of a Residence Hall, the RD will accompany them.

If you stay inside and observe all of the above instructions and precautions, danger will be minimized. If further information is needed, please contact your Resident Assistant.

USF Physical Plant Tampa > Hurricane Information > Resident Preparedness

 

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Last Updated July 18, 2006
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