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JCSU Alert

The LATEST

Whenever there is an emergency, crisis or other event that affects the campus, we will provide updates and information here:

All Classes Remote and Administrative Offices Under Normal Operations Friday, Sept. 30

In anticipation of Tropical Storm Ian, all Johnson C. Smith University classes will be remote on Friday, September 30, 2022. All administrative offices will be open and operate as normal. Staff should report to work as usual. 

The cafeteria will operate with normal breakfast, lunch and dinner hours. Please be sure to charge your electronic equipment this evening just in case we lose power. Be alert, pay attention to your JCSU email and any JCSU emergency text messages for instructions in case the weather worsens.  

We will continue to monitor weather conditions and alert you if plans change.  

For Immediate Emergency

FOR AN IMMEDIATE EMERGENCY, CALL 704.378.1003 or x1004 FOR CAMPUS POLICE

Emergency Notification Strategies

 

JCSU has developed communication strategies to alert the campus of emergency situations. These tools are not intended for use in all instances, but are reserved for emergencies that present a broad, immediate and ongoing threat to campus.

Emergency Tone/Voice Announcement

The emergency or voice tone will be used to alert the campus to an immediate threat of severe weather. The tone is a signal to take immediate action as outlined in the University’s emergency procedures.

Text Message

All students, faculty and staff who have provided the University with a cellular phone number will receive an SMS text message with information about an emergency situation, including severe weather.  The text message will provide basic information and prompt the recipient to be alert for more information (forthcoming) or to take action as outlined in the University’s emergency procedures.

Voice Message
 

Cellular Phone


All students, faculty and staff who have provided the University with a cellular phone number will receive a voice message with information about an emergency situation, including severe weather. The voice message will provide basic information, and it may expand on the information provided in the SMS text message. The voice message will also provide instructions on where to go for additional information (JCSU website) and/or instructions to take action as outlined in the University’s emergency procedures.

Desk Phone


All faculty and staff who have a direct phone extension will receive a voice message on that phone. The voice message will provide basic information, and it may expand on the information provided in the SMS text message. The voice message will also provide instructions on where to go for additional information (JCSU website) and/or instructions to take action as outlined in the University’s emergency procedures.

Note:  The voice message will be left in the voice mailbox of your cellular and/or desk phone if you do not answer when the phone rings.

Email

All students, faculty and staff who have been assigned a JCSU email address will receive an email message with information about the emergency situation, including severe weather. The message will provide basic information, and it may expand on the information provided in the SMS text and voice mail messages. The email message will give instructions on where to go for more information and/or instructions to take action as outlined in the University’s emergency procedures.

Email messages may be sent periodically during an emergency or crisis situation to provide additional details and to provide instructions to take action if a change in the situation calls for action as outlined in the University’s emergency procedures.

JCSU Website

The JCSU website home page will display a banner to inform the campus community and the public about the emergency, including severe or inclement weather. The homepage banner will provide a link to additional information (if necessary). The additional information, which will be posted on the JCSU Alert webpages, will give more details and provide instructions to take action as outlined in the University’s emergency procedures. The JCSU Alert webpages may be updated periodically during an emergency or crisis situation.

Building Liaison

A building liaison has been assigned for every building on the JCSU campus. If necessary (because of a power failure or other utility failure, etc.), the building liaisons will receive information to pass to persons in the building by word of mouth if it is safe to do so.

This list of strategies will be updated as warranted by changes. For more information about emergency notification strategies or emergency procedures, please call the JCSU Campus Police Department, 704.378.1003 or x1004.

In case of inclement weather

 

Severe weather plans and natural disasters

Violent weather by its nature is unpredictable. However, the approach of such weather is often known in advance.  Good communication and quick response throughout the JCSU community will minimize serious injuries.  Every reasonable effort will be made to advise faculty, staff, and students of the approach of violent weather, via phone or e-mail. 

Immediate Action:
  • Remain calm
  • Move away from windows
  • Call x1003 or x1004 if assistance is necessary.
  • Evacuate building if alarm sounds.
  • DO NOT use the fire alarm system unless a fire is present.

Tornado / Hurricane

  • Move away from open doors and windows and move into an interior hallway.
  • Do not use electrical equipment.
  • Do not use elevators. Go to lowest level of the building away from windows. Take shelter.
  • Sit on the floor and put your head in your lap. Cover head with arms.
  • Remain in place of shelter until you are notified that the hazard has passed.

Winter Storms

JCSU will provide broadcast stations with timely updates on any campus closings, cancellations, and delays due to inclement weather. Employees and students are urged not to call Campus Police for weather-related updates because this prohibits staff from performing their duties. Employees required to be at work during campus closings should arrange for suitable transportation ahead of time.

Earthquake

  • Stay inside.
  • Watch for falling objects.
  • Crawl under the table or desk or stand in a doorway and hang on to something.
  • Do not use open flame since gas leaks may be present.
  • Do not use elevators.
  • Remain calm and be prepared for aftershocks.
  • If evacuation is ordered, proceed to assembly area.
  • Do not re-enter the building until instructed to do so by the fire department or a university police officer.

Hurricanes

Hurricane Season

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30 and can affect the following regions:

  • Atlantic 
  • Caribbean Sea
  • Gulf of Mexico

Threat Definitions

Meteorologists and weather watchers use certain key terms when referring to these massive storms:

Tropical Storms

A Tropical Storm is an intense storm that has a spinning wind rotation that develops near the Earth's equator. 

These storms bring heavy rain and high winds to any area they pass over and, although they are less powerful than hurricanes, they are still very destructive and can cause damage to property as well as injury and death. 

Hurricanes will often be downgraded to tropical storms as they move inland and it is not unheard for these still-powerful remnants to buffet the Carolinas and the Charlotte area with heavy rain and winds.

The National Weather Service is charged with monitoring these storms and will issue various threat warning based on the storm's strength, speed and location:

  • Tropical storm watch - When there is the possibility of 39 to 73 mph winds at a location, the National Weather Service will issue a 48 hour tropical storm watch. 
  • Tropical storm warning - If a storm generating 39 to 73 mph winds is expected to hit a location, the National Weather Service will issue a 36 hour tropical storm warning.  

Hurricanes

Once the wind level of an ocean storm generates sustained 74 mph wind speeds, it is classified as a hurricane. 

Hurricanes are generally more organized than Tropical Storms and begin to form an "eye" near the center which becomes a region of calm weather around which the rest of the clouds form and spin. 

When conditions for a hurricane come to fruition, the National Weather Service will issue residents one of two types of alerts:

  • Hurricane watch - is issued when the possibility of winds exceeding 74 mph may come through an area within the next 48 hours.
  • Hurricane warning - is issued when winds greater than 74 mph are expected to come through an area in the next 36 hours. 

Hurricane Scale (Category 1,2,3,4,5)

Hurricanes are given a category rating based on how strong they are. The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale is used to classify these storms to give an indication of the potential power of a storm. 

The scale is broken down into five categories: 

  • Category 1: 74-95 mph sustained winds (some damage expected)
  • Category 2: 96-110 mph sustained winds (extensive damage expected) 
  • Category 3: 111-119 mph sustained winds (devastating damage expected)
  • Category 4: 130-156 mph sustained winds (catastrophic damage expected)
  • Category 5: Sustained wind speeds over 156 mph (catastrophic/widespread damage) 

Category 1 Dangers
  • People or animals can be injured or killed by flying debris
  • Older (pre-1994 construction) mobile homes can be destroyed or shifted off of their foundations
  • Newer mobile homes that are not anchored property can sustain damage
  • Roof coverings, gutters, shingles or gable ends can become detached or blown away
  • Vinyl siding can be pulled off homes and carports or sunrooms can be damaged
  • Unprotected windows can break if struck by debris
  • Masonry chimneys can be toppled
  • Apartment buildings and shopping centers can have their roof coverings partially removed
  • High-rise buildings can sustain broken windows and falling glass and debris around these buildings will continue to be a hazard even after the storm passes
  • Occasional damage to commercial signs, fences and canopies
  • Damage to power lines and poles could result in a loss of electricity in some areas

Category 2 Dangers
  • Substantial risk of injury or death to people or animals from flying debris. 
  • Older (pre-1994 construction) mobile homes have a high chance of destruction and are often turned into debris that can shred nearby mobile homes
  • Newer mobile homes can be destroyed by debris
  • Poorly constructed frame homes can have their roofs removed
  • Unprotected windows have a high chance of being broken by debris
  • Homes could sustain damage to siding and roofs
  • A substantial percentage of roof and siding damage will occur to apartment and industrial buildings
  • Un-reinforced masonry walls can collapse
  • High-rise buildings can sustain broken windows and falling glass and debris around these buildings will continue to be a hazard even after the storm passes
  • Commercial signs, fences and canopies will often be damaged or destroyed
  • Shallowly rooted trees will snap or become uprooted, often blocking roads
  • Near-total power loss is expected with outages that can last weeks
  • Potable water may become scarce as filtration systems fail

Category 3 Dangers
  • High risk of injury or death to people or animals from flying debris. 
  • Nearly all older (pre-1994 construction) mobile homes will be destroyed
  • Newer mobile homes will sustain severe damage with potential for complete roof failure and wall collapse
  • Poorly constructed frame homes can be destroyed from wall and roof collapse
  • Unprotected windows will be broken by debris
  • Homes could sustain major damage to roof decking and gable ends
  • A high percentage of roof and siding damage will occur to apartment and industrial buildings
  • Isolated structural damage to wood and steel framed buildings
  • Complete failure of older metal buildings is possible
  • Older un-reinforced masonry buildings can collapse
  • Numerous windows from high-rise buildings will be blown out and falling glass and debris around these buildings will continue to be a hazard even after the storm passes
  • Most commercial signs, fences and canopies will be destroyed
  • Many trees will snap or become uprooted, often blocking roads
  • Electricity and water will be unavailable for several days to a few weeks until after the storm passes

Category 4 Dangers
  • Very high risk of injury or death to people or animals from flying debris. 
  • Nearly all older (pre-1994 construction) mobile homes will be destroyed
  • A high percentage of newer mobile homes will be destroyed
  • Many homes will be destroyed from wall and roof collapse
  • Extensive damage to roof coverings, windows, and doors will occur
  • Windborne debris will break most unprotected windows and penetrate some protected windows
  • A high percentage of damage to the top floor of apartment buildings
  • Steel framed buildings can collapse
  • Complete failure of older metal buildings is possible
  • A high percent of older un-reinforced masonry buildings will collapse
  • Most windows from high-rise buildings will be blown out and falling glass and debris around these buildings will continue to be a hazard even after the storm passes
  • Nearly all commercial signs, fences and canopies will be destroyed
  • Most trees will snap or become uprooted and power poles will fall
  • Power outages will be extensive and long-term water shortages will be felt
  • Much of the area will become uninhabitable for weeks or months

Hurricane 5 Dangers
  • Very high risk of injury or death to people or animals from flying debris even if indoors in mobile homes or framed homes 
  • Almost all mobile homes will be destroyed, regardless of age
  • A high percentage of homes will be destroyed from wall and roof collapse
  • Extensive damage to roof coverings, windows, and doors will occur
  • Windborne debris will break most unprotected windows and penetrate many protected windows
  • A high percentage of damage to the top floor of apartment buildings
  • Steel framed buildings can collapse
  • Complete collapse of many metal buildings is possible
  • Most un-reinforced masonry buildings will collapse resulting in many building collapses
  • A high percent of industrial buildings and low-rise apartment buildings will be destroyed
  • Nearly all windows from high-rise buildings will be blown out and falling glass and debris around these buildings will continue to be a hazard even after the storm passes
  • Nearly all commercial signs, fences and canopies will be destroyed
  • Most trees will snap or become uprooted and power poles will fall
  • Power outages will be extensive and long-term water shortages will be felt
  • Most of the area will become uninhabitable for weeks or months

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