Hurricane Ian Update – Move to Virtual Learning

Due to Hurricane Ian’s potential impact to the Charleston region this week, Charleston Southern University will move to virtual learning on Thursday and Friday. Though the storm’s path isn’t currently projected to be a direct hit on the South Carolina coast, tropical storm conditions are expected. 

What to Expect

Currently a Category 4 storm, Hurricane Ian is on track to move across Florida Wednesday and Thursday. The hurricane is likely to make landfall near Savannah on Friday as a tropical storm. The latest National Weather Service forecast updates (11 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 28) project potentials for wind gusts between 58 to 73 miles per hour and major flooding rain in the North Charleston/Hanahan/Goose Creek/Ladson areas. The CSU campus lies outside of the threat for storm surge. Expected rain totals are between 8-10” in North Charleston from Thursday evening into Saturday. 

The Plan

To ensure the safety of our campus community and out of an abundance of caution, CSU will give the campus community the opportunity to choose to stay on campus, stay home, or evacuate as needed. PLEASE NOTE: University emergency management or state officials are not stating that an evacuation is necessary or required. Area school districts have also moved to virtual learning which affects many faculty and staff with children. To be clear, most CSU offices will be closed for the safety of employees commuting on the roads, but the campus will not be closed. The campus plans to resume normal operations on Monday, Oct. 3 at 8 a.m.  

In addition to offering asynchronous learning for students and faculty on Thursday and Friday, please note the following announcements: 

• Dining services will remain open, offering limited options due to staffing. All food will be served from the Dining Hall only.   
• Rivers Library will remain open 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. unless weather conditions change drastically.   
• The Brewer Center will be open, with limited hours.   
• The Campus Store will be closed on Friday and Saturday, but open on Thursday. 
• All campus tours are cancelled on Thursday and Friday. 
• Elevate has been cancelled. 
• The Sweet 16 event, Shimmy at the Shed, has been rescheduled for Oct. 23. 
• Residents who decide to evacuate must complete this form to inform Residence Life of travel plans. Residence Life will send out additional information for all residents. 

Quick Tips

• Charge all devices and spare battery packs prior to the storm. 
• Make sure your flashlights work and have extra batteries on hand. 
• If you decide to evacuate the area, head north and expect heavy traffic from evacuees from Florida and Georgia. Again, there is no mandatory evacuation order in our state or from CSU. 
• Fill up your vehicle’s gas tank early. 
• Refill prescriptions. 
• Unplug devices prior to leaving your office or room on campus. Those who remain on campus, please note that internet connectivity and cell reception could be impacted by the storm. 

Other Helpful Resources

• Hurricane season in Charleston: what you should know  
• The difference between a hurricane watch or warning 
• The difference between a tropical storm watch or warning 
• Key messages from the National Hurricane Center 
• National Weather Service: outlook and impact on Charleston 
• CSU’s Emergency Preparedness Plan 
• CSU Security – 843-553-5896 or 843-863-7105 

As a reminder, please continue to monitor local weather updates, your CSU email, CSU social media, and the latest BucAlert announcements.  

Stay safe, CSU!