Storm Updates: Classes to Resume on Friday, Sept. 27 and Update on Campus Facilities

Sep 26, 2024, 4:45 PM

As Hurricane Helene continues to affect areas in the northern areas of Florida and the Southeastern part of the United States, our thoughts are with residents in the path of the storm — including several of our Embry‑Riddle Worldwide campus locations. Worldwide Campus directors continue to take all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of their students and personnel. The chancellor for the Worldwide Campus is working closely with sites that are in the path of the storm.

Return to Normal Operations

As of this writing, we expect both the Daytona Beach Campus and Worldwide headquarters will return to normal operations on Friday, Sept. 27, where classes will be held as normal, and the Mori Hosseini Student Union and all Sodexo dining locations will operate on regularly scheduled hours.

Should the current forecast change or weather conditions deteriorate, we will send an update regarding schedule modifications as soon as possible.

Returning to the university’s regular academic calendar on Friday, Sept. 27 will ensure that all academic programs continue to meet accreditation requirements as well as the university’s own educational standards of excellence.

If any student elected to depart campus due to safety concerns, the university will work with individuals on a case-by-case basis, as they plan for a safe return to campus. Students should not take any risks by rushing if circumstances prevent their immediate return on Friday, Sept. 27.

Students continue to be encouraged to keep in close contact with their parents, and parents should check in regularly with their students, both on and off campus.

Parking Garage Reopening Friday Afternoon

Both the mobile pay parking and the upper reserved levels of the garage will be reopened the afternoon of Friday, Sept. 27. We thank you for your patience as we successfully used the garage to house a large portion of our fleet during the severe weather.

We understand that finding parking near the academic buildings during peak hours can be challenging. Please arrive early to secure a parking spot. If you are unable to locate a spot on the main campus, parking is available in our surface lots across Clyde Morris Blvd.

For parking inquiries, do not hesitate to visit the Campus Safety office located on the first level of the parking garage, opposite the College of Aviation, or the Campus Safety Communications Center inside the Student Union. You also may email Daytona.Safety.Request@erau.edu.

Continue to Stay Safe

As a reminder, strong winds and dangerous tides could persist for days. Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to avoid travel and all beachside activities until it is safe to resume these activities. Additionally, any flooding or standing water can cause dangerous conditions. Do not drive through flooded areas and avoid wading into any standing water.

Please continue to follow updates posted to the Embry‑Riddle Newsroom as well as the University’s main website, Daytona Beach Campus website, internal web portal (ERNIE) and the Daytona Beach Campus Facebook page.

You can review a list of hurricane preparedness Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) here: Hurricane and Severe Weather Frequently Asked Questions (erau.edu)

Parents who have any questions may call 386-226-6100, or toll-free, 800-862-2416.

September 25, 2024

Hurricane Helene is forecasted to impact our Daytona Beach Campus and may impact other Embry‑Riddle Florida-based Worldwide campuses. The National Hurricane Center is reporting strong winds and severe weather for our area.

Daytona Beach Campus Will Be Closed on Thursday, Sept. 26

To ensure the safety of its students, staff and faculty, Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University will close its Daytona Beach Campus, Worldwide headquarters and university administrative offices in Volusia County on Thursday, Sept. 26 in light of the storm’s potential and forecasted impacts on the region.

At this time, we expect the campus to reopen for classes and university operations on Friday, Sept. 27.

Campus will be restricted to essential personnel and Sodexo employees who are staffing the Boundless campus restaurant. All other facilities will be closed including the Mori Hosseini Student Union and the Fitness Center.

The university is also monitoring its Worldwide Campus locations within the storm system’s forecasted path. Worldwide Campus directors have been urged to take all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of their students and personnel. The chancellor for the Worldwide Campus is working closely with sites in the path of the storm.

Professional Embry‑Riddle staff from Housing & Residence Life, Campus Safety, Facilities, Dining Services and other teams (“essential staff”) will be on campus during the storm to assist students, as needed.

Students, both on and off campus, are encouraged to keep in close contact with their parents, and parents should check in regularly with their students.

Parking Garage Closure

In anticipation of tropical-storm force winds, we are implementing the parking garage severe weather plan. This plan allows for temporary shelter of aircraft during severe weather. As such, both the mobile pay parking and the upper reserved levels of the garage will be closed Wednesday, Sept. 25 through Thursday, Sept. 26. Mobile pay parking will close today (Tuesday) at 5 p.m. There will be no entry permitted into the reserved parking spaces after 2 p.m. tomorrow (Wednesday). All vehicles parked in the reserved spaces must depart the garage by 5 p.m. tomorrow so that hurricane fabric can be placed.

Food Service

At this time, the Mori Hosseini Student Union will close on Wednesday, Sept. 25 at 9 p.m. This includes all dining services.

Sodexo will operate the Boundless campus restaurant on Thursday, Sept. 26 with modified hours from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. To-go meals will be offered, and students are encouraged to eat in their dorms.

All other restaurant locations and food providers will be closed on Thursday, Sept. 26.

Students are also encouraged to have extra snacks and food on hand as well as any medications or other essentials.

As of this writing, we plan to re-open with our normal locations and hours on Friday, Sept. 27.

Employee Information

All employees (except identified essential personnel) will be released from on-campus service during campus closure. Employees will stay home, working remotely, as able, to fulfill their functions. Employees should speak with their supervisors if they are unclear about their role at this time. Supervisors may also contact Vice President and Chief of Human Resources Brandon Young in case of questions. As always, staff may use personal leave, as needed.

Safety Information

Do not drive through flooded areas and avoid wading into any standing water.
Take shelter immediately if you see lightning or hear thunder. Remain indoors until the storm has passed.
Stay away from windows during the storm.
Avoid contact with water during a storm — lightning can travel through plumbing.
Avoid contact with metal objects.
Don’t ride your bike or skateboard during a storm.
As storm track and development are subject to change, you need to have a personal safety plan in effect, should an evacuation become necessary.
If a tornado warning is issued for our area, you will be alerted via RAVE Emergency Notification. Remember to opt into RAVE from the ERNIE page if you have not done so already.

For More Information

Additional resources are listed below, for students residing both on and off-campus, and their families:

Further information regarding reopening of the campus will be provided when updated information is received. Updates as necessary will be provided via email and will be posted to the Embry‑Riddle Newsroom as well as the university’s main website, Daytona Beach Campus website, internal web portal (ERNIE) and the Daytona Beach Campus Facebook page.

Students are urged to stay tuned to their Embry‑Riddle email as well as ERNIE and RAVE accounts for updates. Anyone who is not signed up for RAVE campus alerts may do so here: https://www.getrave.com/login/erau.

You can review a list of hurricane preparedness Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) here: Hurricane and Severe Weather Frequently Asked Questions (erau.edu).

Parents who have any questions may call 386-226-6100, or toll-free, 800-862-2416.