Avery Beaton, Assistant Editor
The peak of hurricane season is upon us, exemplified by hurricane Helene. Spawned in the Gulf of Mexico as a tropical storm, Helene has now escalated to a category 2, expected to be a category 3 or 4 by this evening.
Being in South Carolina, we often get hit with some of the hurricanes that hit the East Coast and sometimes the Gulf. We’ve already seen the start of the wind and rain, but the worst is yet to come. Due to the high winds and expected 1”-2” of rain, buildings and classes will be affected.
Here is what to expect from USC Upstate in the coming days.
Parking
Director of Public Safety Klay Peterson sent out an email Thursday morning, September 26th warning students and staff to avoid parking next to the Hodge and administration building.
Due to the high winds, there is a risk of trees falling and potentially ruining cars. Peterson advised students and staff to park in lots O1, C1, C2, and C3.
Classes
The high rain and winds had students wondering if classes will continue for Thursday. School districts throughout Spartanburg are cancelling classes for Thursday and Friday.
The Office of the Chancellor sent an email stating that all classes for Thursday after 2 PM will be virtual. They also included a word of caution for commuters, urging students to drive safely if they are leaving or going to campus Thursday and Friday.
Buildings
As of now, there have been no building closures. The Office of the Chancellor stated, “Any decision regarding closure of campus offices will be made in accordance with protocols followed by Spartanburg County.”
Just a reminder: USC Upstate does not follow Spartanburg County school district closures.
Safety
Storm safety is incredibly important in South Carolina. In case of a flood warning, move to higher ground.
For residents on campus, watch for severe storm shelters. There will a green and white sign above a designated storm shelter. Keep a flashlight and talk with your roommate(s) about a storm plan. In case of high winds, stay clear of windows and avoid driving.
Overall, check emails frequently for campus updates. Keep driving to a minimum and watch for weather updates. The rain and wind are expected to continue through tomorrow evening.
For a storm tracker and updates, follow the link to The Weather Channel: https://weather.com/storms/hurricane/video/hurricane-helene-category-two-forecast-update?adRef=nav_trpcl
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