On Friday evening, a university emergency alert message said the storm “created multiple hazards on campus and significantly compromised university infrastructure.” Van Noort said in her statement Saturday that “everyone is safe,” but “parts of campus are inaccessible” and “cell and internet coverage is nonexistent at this point.”
The university will provide “security, food, water and comfort” to students who remain on campus, van Noort said.
On the Boone campus, student residence halls remain open, with none of the buildings “structurally compromised.” The central dining hall, campus markets, the student union, the student health center and the student recreation center also remain open.
Maintenance crews are roping off “dangerous areas” on campus, and those on campus are advised to not enter the areas once they are marked. Anyone doing so may face disciplinary action or possible arrest.
The university is asking those who remain on campus to conserve water by taking short showers, running dishwashers and washing machines only when they are full, and not leaving faucets to run.
The university also advises anyone who chooses to leave campus or the surrounding areas to “proceed with extreme caution, and keep the roads as clear as possible for emergency response vehicles.”
Students, faculty and staff who live off-campus should not come to campus. Anyone in need of shelter should call 1-800-RED-CROSS.
More information is available on the university’s App State Alert website: appstatealert.com.
Several lanes of I-40 in N.C. near the Tennessee line washed out and collapsed during catastrophic flooding from Helene. The North Carolina Department of Transportation said I-40 was closed in multiple locations between Asheville and eastern Tennessee due to washouts and debris. NC DOT
Western Carolina University in Cullowhee will remain closed through Friday, Oct. 4, the university announced on social media Saturday. The closure also applies to remote students.
Campus emergency services and student services will remain operational during the closure. Campus dining will also available with limited options.
The university advises students to not leave campus due to the closures of major roads and interstates in the area. The university also advises the parents and guardians of students to not attempt traveling to campus.
The campus University Center will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day, where students may make landline phone calls as cellular and internet disruptions continue.
The university’s website appeared to be down Saturday afternoon. The university will make additional updates through its social media channels, including on X ( twitter.com/WCU ) and Facebook ( facebook.com/WesternCarolinaUniversity ).
Lenoir-Rhyne University in Hickory will not hold classes on Monday, Sept. 30, the university announced Saturday. The closure applies to in-person and remote classes.
The university does not know when power will be restored to all of campus, and is thus advising students who are able to safely leave during the weekend to do so.
Minges Science Building, George Hall and the Rudisill Library will be open from 8 a.m. until midnight Saturday and Sunday, with power, internet and air conditioning available in each building. Rudisill Library will provide late-night programming, food and drink from 9 p.m. to midnight Saturday.
Get updates delivered to you daily. Free and customizable.
It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency:
Our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. As a platform hosting over 100,000 pieces of content published daily, we cannot pre-vet content, but we strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation.
Local News
Comments / 0