Duke Marine Lab Weather Alert

September 6, 2008

The Marine Lab suffered no damage from Hanna apart from a few shingles off the roof of Dorm Five and will open for regular business Monday morning.  Marine Lab faculty, staff, and graduate students may return at will, as their research and work requires. Undergraduates are welcome to return Sunday morning.  The dining hall will reopen for Sunday brunch.

September 5, 2008

Tropical Storm Hanna is predicted to make landfall near the NC/SC border shortly after 2am on Saturday, September 6, 2008.  Current predictions are that Hanna will remain a tropical storm but the potential does exist to strengthen to a minimal Category 1 hurricane.

The Marine Laboratory will continue to secure the buildings, grounds and vessels today in preparation for tropical or hurricane force winds and rains.

Classes have been cancelled for today (September 5, 2008).

The Marine Laboratory has implemented its evacuation plan for all undergraduate students and will provide housing on the Durham Campus for them.  All undergraduate students are required to evacuate the Marine Lab campus by 12:30pm today (September 5, 2008).  Each student will be required to report travel plans, destination and contact information to the Marine Lab Administration and to their parents.

The Marine Lab will close for all other regular business at 3:00pm today (September 5, 2008) in response to weather activities and will reopen after the storm has passed.

Visitation day (Sept. 6) has been cancelled and will be rescheduled.

Updates will be issued as needed.

September 4, 2008

The Marine Laboratory will be securing the buildings, grounds and vessels today and tomorrow in preparation for tropical/hurricane force winds and rains.  Classes will continue as scheduled today (September 4, 2008).

The Marine Laboratory has a well-established procedure for hurricane evacuation and providing housing on the Durham Campus for undergraduate students if a hurricane threatens the Beaufort Campus.   A decision regarding possible evacuation for the undergraduate students will be made after the September 4, 2008, 5:00pm EDT, weather advisory for Tropical Storm Hanna.  If the evacuation plan is implemented, students will most likely be expected to depart the island prior to 1:00pm on Friday, September 5, 2008.  Each student would be required to report travel plans, destination and contact information to Marine Lab Administration and to their parents.

Any decision to close the Marine Lab in response to weather activities will be posted at this location and by email to all other faculty, staff and graduate students.

Updates will be issued as needed.