BY ADAM HILL
If you watch the nightly news weather reports, or step outside your home every once-in-a-while during the summer months, you know Savannah is positioned in an area that potentially can be threatened by tropical storms and hurricanes. As of yet, Savannah has escaped unscathed, but as the hurricane season continues through Sept. and into Oct., it is imperative that you plan ahead so as to insure your safety in the event of a hurricane.
“SCAD is dedicated to the safety of all its students, faculty and staff, and that’s why we have an emergency preparedness plan. In weather-related emergencies like Tropical Storm Hanna, we work closely with the Chatham Emergency Management Agency to determine best steps for keeping the SCAD community safe,” said Sunny Nelson, director of communications.
When you venture out to the grocery store the first week of school, make sure to pick up a flashlight, a battery-operated radio, a small first aid kit, extra batteries, bottled water, and non-perishable food. It’s also important to stay in touch with close family and friends to let them know of your plans in case of an emergency or evacuation. Pay attention to local television stations for hurricane watches, warnings and possible school closings.
For all other questions regarding hurricane preparedness and procedure you can find the answers on the SCAD Web site. Simply go online and access the SCAD Web site at www.scad.edu. On the main page click the About SCAD tab along the top band. On the next page you will scroll down the left column of the page and click the SCAD Security link. This will bring you to the SCAD Security overview page. For our purposes, click the Emergency Preparedness tab on the left. This brings you to the page detailing what would happen in the event of a natural disaster. The information is broken down into three different categories: Emergency Preparedness, Hurricanes and Closure and Evacuation Procedure.
The Emergency Preparedness page gives SCAD students a communication system in order to get the right information in times of emergency. Some of the tools include: Connect-Ed, a system that utilizes the students’ provided contact information to send them rapid notification of school closures or recommended evacuation routes via telephone or e-mail. Also, crisis preparedness questions can be directed to communications@scad.edu during non-evacuation times. Ironically the e-mail address will not be functional in the event of an actual crisis. Checking your SCAD e-mail address is essential, as hurricane updates are sent almost daily.
The Hurricanes page details the necessity of planning an evacuation route ahead, making sure to have disaster supplies on hand, and paying close attention to the hurricane watches and warnings by listening to a battery-operated radio. It also gives a brief overview of the evacuation procedure SCAD follows as outlined by the Chatham Emergency Management Agency (CEMA).
The Closure and Evacuation Procedures page is pretty self-explanatory, as it goes into step-by-step detail of exactly what will happen in the event of a mandatory evacuation. During an evacuation the campus will be closed. Students must leave residence halls. Students will gather at Oglethorpe House or Weston House to board buses taking them to inland shelters (the closest being Augusta in Richmond County, close to 140 miles from Savannah). It is suggested that if you have a car or are getting a ride with friends to leave as soon as possible. On this page there are two different evacuation maps in PDF format students can print off. It is essential to bring the necessities including warm clothes, toiletries, a pillow, and a blanket or sleeping bag.
This is just a sampling of the information available at the school’s Web site. Be sure to check it for more specifics and updates. Remember it is important to stay informed to ensure your safety this school year.
Photo credit: NASA
