UNC takes precautions ahead of coming storm

As Tropical Storm Hanna approaches the eastern seaboard, UNC officials are planning to deal with a situation they haven't seen in several years.

Hanna is projected to hit the East Coast at the North Carolina-South Carolina border tonight with the potential of building into a hurricane, according to the National Weather Service.

After reviewing the storm's projected course, University officials have said that the storm does not pose an immediate threat to the University but that campus personnel will be on alert for potential changes.

The storm has already caused flash floods in Haiti and 112 deaths in the Caribbean.

The University has not been severely affected by a hurricane since Hurricane Fran in September 1996.

That storm, which killed 17, pummeled North Carolina, causing severe damage in 34 counties and power loss for 430,000 people.

Before Fran, the University alerted students of emergency shelters, and Carolina Dining Services bottled tap water and purchased food that didn't require electricity to cook.

The University ended up with only with fallen trees and power lines and some minor damage to campus property.

The emergency warning committee, a team of University officials that advises the chancellor about emergency protocol, met Thursday morning to discuss safety concerns and precautions in regard to Hanna.

The committee sent out an e-mail Thursday afternoon saying the storm's impact is expected to be limited to rain and wind and that University officials are taking safety precautions.

The notice goes on to say that officials are tracking storm reports and that students should use their best judgment to gauge threats to their safety.

Randy Young, spokesman for the Department of Public Safety, said the University will be fully staffed and facilities are to remain open unless conditions worsen.

Young said he is confident that the University will take all necessary precautions to prepare for the storm.

"We've weathered storms here in the past," he said.

Students said they are not worried about the storm.

"I haven't given it too much thought," said Molly Betton, a junior international studies major.

Senior Carr Allen said he's more concerned about the coastal areas than the University community.

"I'm not particularly worried because wind speeds were only 60 miles per hour, and we need the rain anyhow," he said. "I do have friends on the Outer Banks, though, and I worry about them."

In an emergency the University will use the five emergency sirens located on campus and send text message alerts to students who have registered their cell phones on the online campus directory, according to Thursday's notice.

Students can register for the alert system by going to www.alertcarolina.unc.edu and clicking on "Register Your Cell Phone".

If conditions change, updates will be posted on www.unc.edu and www.alertcarolina.unc.edu.

Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.