Extreme Weather

Campus Alerts

Current University Status

USCB is fully operational at this time. The university is closely monitoring Hurricane Milton. Updates and important information for students and employees will be provided as needed.

Official Announcements

There are no announcements.

USCB is Prepared for Extreme Weather

Be alert. Stay informed. In the event of a potential campus closure or evacuation, official information will be shared via email, the university website, and social media. If needed, students may also receive alerts via emergency text message.

Extreme weather is an unfortunate reality of living in the Lowcountry. Depending on the anticipated severity of a storm, whether it be ice/snow or a hurricane, the University of South Carolina Beaufort may be required to either close or evacuate its three campuses.

While this is not a common occurrence, the university is ready to implement a plan if extreme weather is a threat to the area. If the university closes or an evacuation is ordered by the governor, all events and classes will be canceled, and only pre-designated essential personnel will be allowed to remain on campus.

Be assured that the university responds quickly to extreme weather events, placing a premium on safety in coordination with local and state officials.

Stay Informed - Communication is Key

Actions and timeframes in USCB’s extreme weather response may vary depending on a storm's forecast track, speed, and severity.

As state, county, and university emergency officials monitor extreme weather, announcements will be sent to the campus community via email and emergency alert text message. Updates will also be posted on USCB’s homepage (uscb.edu) and official social media channels Facebook, Instagram, and X/Twitter.

• Communication during an extreme weather event will be frequent as conditions change.
• Parents/guardians are encouraged to monitor uscb.edu and USCB social media.
• Students can also add their parents/guardians to the USC emergency notification system.
  • Manage User Account > Update Account Settings > User Account > Emergency Notifications tab

In conjunction with the state and local emergency officials, the decision to close the USCB campuses to students in the event of extreme weather is made by the chancellor. The campuses are closed to faculty and staff only when Beaufort County closes the county administration building.

Immediately following decisions to close the USCB campuses, the announcement and additional information will be communicated to the university community.

Campus Closing vs. Evacuation

Campus Closing

In the event of a campus closing, only dining services and residence halls may remain operational to the best of their ability. All other USCB areas will be closed and off limits, including administration/faculty/staff offices, the library, the Recreation Center, and classrooms.

• The Provost will make a decision and announcement about online classes.
• Only pre-designated essential personnel will be allowed to remain on campus.
• Students remaining in USCB housing should stay indoors until given the ALL CLEAR from USCB or county officials.

Campus/Area Evacuation

If the South Carolina Governor calls for an evacuation of this area, USCB follows all procedures regarding an evacuation as instructed by the Beaufort County Emergency Management Division. Only the Governor can declare an evacuation, and all declared evacuations in South Carolina are mandatory.

In the event of an evacuation, students in USCB housing are asked to leave the residence halls. Students who need alternate housing arrangements will be evacuated to USC Aiken. The USCB cabinet will also relocate to USC Aiken at the discretion of the chancellor.

USCB is not responsible for damage to vehicles or other personal property left on campus during an evacuation.

Tropical Storm/Hurricane Scenario

If extreme weather is identified as a potential threat to USCB:

• The Chancellor and emergency response team monitor weather updates.
• Coordination begins with the National Weather Service-Charleston and Beaufort County Emergency Management Division.
• An initial warning email message will be sent to the campus community.
  
  Community at large – Senior Director of Communications
  Emergency text alert – USCB DPS
  
  Housing staff will communicate emergency plans and updates with students that live on-campus.

1. If the decision is made to close the USCB Campus.
   • Chancellor closes the campus.
   • Classes canceled; buildings/offices closed.
   • Dining services and residence halls may remain open depending on the threat level.
   • USCB coordination continues with Beaufort County Emergency Management Division and NWS-Charleston.
   • An initial email message will be sent to the campus community:
     
     Community at large – Senior Director of Communications
     Emergency text alert – USCB DPS
     
     Followed by specific emails to:
     
     Students – Vice Chancellor for Student Development
     Faculty – Provost/Executive Vice Chancellor
     Staff – Vice Chancellor for Finance and Operations
2. Or if an Evacuation Order is issued — USCB Evacuation.
   • The Governor declares an evacuation.
     
   • USCB campus closes entirely.
   • USCB coordination continues with Beaufort County Emergency Management Division.
     
     BCEMD establishes operations command in the USCB Department of Public Safety Duty Room.
   • An initial email message will be sent to the campus community:
     
     Community at large – Senior Director of Communications
     Emergency text alert – USCB DPS
     
     Followed by specific emails to:
     
     Students – Vice Chancellor for Student Development
     Faculty – Provost/Executive Vice Chancellor
     Staff – Vice Chancellor for Finance and Operations
   • Students not going home or who have not made other arrangements and USCB cabinet members travel to USC Aiken with personal vehicles or by bus provided by the university.
   • Students, faculty, and staff will continue to receive updates during the evacuation and will be notified when it is safe to return to USCB.

Hurricane FYI

• • Hurricane season is traditionally from June 1 to November 30.
  • Hurricane Watch: issued 48 hours ahead of anticipated impact — conditions are possible.
  • Hurricane Warning: issued 36 hours ahead of anticipated impact — conditions are expected.