Preparedness When You're at University

To see if Universities are closed due to weather, click here.

To find the emergency management pages of all public Florida Universities, click here. 

Where should I get information from?

Your university alert page and emergency management department can answer questions about closures and campus resources and send out emergency weather updates.

Whatever county your university is in also has an Emergency Management department with local resources and information. A list of contacts for all Florida counties is available at FloridaDisaster.org/Counties. 

Emergency weather alerts save lives! Make sure you are signed up to receive them and know what to do when you get them. You can sign up at FloridaDisaster.org/AlertFlorida and learn more about weather hazards and safety at FloridaDisaster.org/Hazards.

How do I make a plan?

Making a plan means knowing what you will do before, during and after a storm. It means asking yourself questions and coming up with answers for different situations, so your individual needs are met.

Considerations include, but are not limited to:

• Do you have roommates, and are you included in each other's plans?
• Do you have a car or way to go home if you need to evacuate?
• Do you have a pet for whom you need to plan as well?
• Do you have enough supplies to last if the power goes out for several days to one week?
• How will you communicate with people if you have no phone signal?
• Do you have medication you will need to get an early prescription refill for if a storm threatens your area?

These questions are just a few examples of what you need to consider when making your disaster plan. 

Do I have enough supplies?

A proper emergency supply kit has enough non-perishable food and water to last EACH person in a household for AT LEAST 7 days. This is important to always have on hand in case the power goes out or you lose access to running water due to a storm. 

Your kit should also have non-flammable light sources, extra batteries, and first aid supplies. For a complete disaster supply kit checklist, visit FloridaDisaster.org/Kit.

Should I evacuate?

The type of structure you are living in will affect what decisions you make. You can find out if you are in an evacuation zone by entering your address on our Know Your Zone map at FloridaDisaster.org/Know.

On-Campus Housing

• Ask your university if it is safe to shelter in your dormitory or Greek life house. Always listen to directions and guidance from local and university officials.

Apartment Complex

• The Florida Building Code means structures built after 2004 can likely withstand high wind speeds. 
• Ask your apartment complex if it is safe to shelter in place.
• If you are medically dependent on power or need an elevator to leave the building, then you may need to evacuate if power loss is likely.

Renting a House

• Ask your landlord what their storm plan is.
• This includes what their plan is to provide temporary housing in the event your home is damaged.
• Do you have renters’ insurance?
• This is important to consider to ensure your belongings have protection in case of damage from a storm. 
• Read insurance policies carefully and get the coverage that best suits your needs – most renters’ and homeowners’ insurance policies do not cover flood damages, one of the most common threats during a hurricane.