Tropical Storm Debby Updates

August 7

Classes will resume in person at Charleston Southern University on Friday, August 9 at 8 a.m. All offices and facilities will return to their normal operating schedule with employees reporting back to campus on Friday morning. Students should communicate with professors if they are unable to go to class in person due to the effects of Tropical Storm Debby. Employees should also speak to their supervisors if they have any difficulty in returning to work in person.  

Dining services will close at 7 p.m. today and will reopen tomorrow morning at 7 for normal operations. 

The Campus Store mailroom is staffed today; however, deliveries to departmental locations will resume tomorrow morning. If you are expecting urgent mail, please call 843-863-8017 or email csu@slingshotedu.com to ensure a staff member is on site and available to assist with mail pick up. 
 
Students and employees are encouraged to use caution when traveling due to possible unsafe road conditions. You may check the SCDOT’s Roadway Information System to plan your route safely. We remain thankful that our campus was spared from damage. Thank you for remaining vigilant.

We’ll see you soon, Bucs!

August 6

Due to Tropical Storm Debby’s continued impact on the Charleston area, Charleston Southern University will extend remote work for employees through tomorrow, August 7. Please note that your safety is our greatest priority, so employees having difficulty during this storm (i.e., road closure, power outage, flooding) should contact their supervisor. 

Virtual learning remains in effect through Thursday, August 8. 

Weather Effects: 
Tropical Storm Debby brought historic heavy rainfall as well as wind and tornado damage overnight in the Lowcountry. More heavy rain is expected today. An additional 6-10 inches of rain is headed our way, though some spots could have more than 10 inches of rainfall. So far, our campus has seen pockets of flood water near drainage areas, but everything is working as it should.  

There is a flash flood warning for parts of Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties, and many roads are closed due to flooding. Check for road closures in your commute here. 

Reminders: 
If you are a CSU employee, either full- or part-time, please note that if you have a critical need during or after this tropical storm, please get in touch with the Caring Team at caringteam@csuniv.edu, or submit a financial assistance request in MyCSU under the staff or faculty tab. 
 
As always, important updates will be sent via campuswide email, with urgent releases also communicated via BucAlert (the campus emergency notification system), the website, and social media as necessary.  

In the meantime, brush up on CSU’s emergency procedures in MyCSU and on campus storm shelter areas here. 

Stay safe, Bucs! 

August 5

Due to Tropical Storm Debby’s potential impact to the Charleston region this week, Charleston Southern University will move all in-person classes to virtual learning beginning at 2 p.m. today through Thursday, August 8. An update will be provided later in the week regarding classes scheduled in-person for Friday, August 9.

Academic chairs should contact all adjuncts to inform them of this plan.

As of 2:30 p.m. today, all employees will transition to remote work for the remainder of today and through tomorrow, August 6. Only essential personnel will remain on campus. Additional information and instruction for the remainder of the week will be forthcoming from Human Resources. 

What to Expect:
Though briefly a category 1 hurricane, Debby was downgraded back to a tropical storm after making landfall today near Florida’s Big Bend region. According to the latest forecast, the storm will trek across Florida and into southeast Georgia where Debby will hit the South Carolina coast. Potentially historic heavy rainfall is expected through Saturday morning, which will result in considerable flooding along the coastal counties. More than 10” of rain is expected and severe flooding is possible. Elevated tides and storm surge will worsen flooding. There is also an elevated threat of isolated tornadoes, storm gusts up to 50 mph, and an increased threat of downed trees and power outages.

Campus Information:
In addition to offering online learning for students and faculty through Thursday, please note the following announcements:

• Rivers Library will close and reopen when classes transition back to in-person learning.
• Dining services will remain open, offering limited options due to staffing. All food will be served from the Dining Hall only.  
• The Brewer Center will be closed until classes are back on campus.
• The Campus Store will close immediately this afternoon and suspend mail services. More information to follow regarding mail service after August 6.
• All campus tours are cancelled the remainder of today through Thursday.

Quick Tips:

• Charge all devices and spare battery packs prior to the storm.
• Make sure your flashlights work and have extra batteries on hand.
• 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.
  

As always, important updates will be sent via campuswide email, with urgent releases also communicated via BucAlert(the campus emergency notification system), the website, and social media as necessary. 

In the meantime, brush up on CSU’s emergency procedures in MyCSU as well as personal emergency planning with the latest Hurricane Guide here. 

Stay safe, Bucs!

Helpful Resources

Emergency: 911
Campus Security: 843-553-5896 or 843-863-7105
  

• All 2024 Atlantic tropical cyclone names
• Hurricane season in Charleston: what you should know  
• The difference between a hurricane watch or warning
• National Weather Service: outlook and impact on Charleston
• CSU’s Emergency Preparedness Plan
• CSU Security

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