Hurricane Ian Updates

Sep 30, 2022, 12:10 PM

Note: This page will be routinely updated with new information as it becomes available.

Update: 12:58 p.m., Oct. 2, 2022

Please Help Students Hit Hard by Hurricane Ian — Give Now

As Hurricane Ian sliced a deadly path across Florida, everyone stayed safe at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Daytona Beach Campus, where facilities suffered relatively minor damage. Sadly, a number of our students — both at Daytona Beach and various Worldwide Campus locations — may experience stress and financial hardships as their families repair, rebuild and dry out homes damaged by the storm. In some cases, family members may even be injured or grieving.

When Ian slammed into Florida’s southwest coast on Sept. 28, the Category 4 storm was packing sustained winds around 150 mph. Homes and businesses were flattened. Beaches were destroyed. Amid rising flood waters, residents were stranded without power. As the storm churned northeast across Florida, it weakened but still raved the Daytona Beach area for more than a day.

Ian claimed more than 50 lives in Florida, made a second landfall in South Carolina and plowed northward into Virginia.

How Can You Help Eagles in Need?

Your tax-deductible gift to the Eagles Care Emergency Assistance Fund could be a saving grace for students whose families were devastated by Hurricane Ian. Affected students may apply to receive up to $1,000 per year. All applications are verified by a review committee to ensure eligibility.

Every dollar you contribute to the Eagles Care Fund — 100% of every gift — goes directly to students in need. Your gift also sends an important message: Whatever you can give, whether it is $50 or $1,000, your gift will let a struggling Eagle know that the Embry-Riddle community cares deeply about them and their family.

Go to givingto.erau.edu/eaglescare and select the Eagles Care Fund to make a gift.

To help students experiencing hurricane-related impacts, select the Daytona Beach or Worldwide campus funds — split your donation between the two.

Students: How to Apply for Emergency Assistance

Students who wish to apply for post-Ian assistance should log on to ERNIE as a first step, then complete the Eagles Care Emergency Assistance Request form.

A Message to Our Employees

We would also like to express our deep concern and caring for all Embry-Riddle employees who were affected by Hurricane Ian.

Our Emergency Operations Team — including personnel with Campus Safety, Facilities, Housing & Residence Life, Flight, the Dean of Students Office, Communications, and especially our dining services provider, Sodexo — never stopped working during or after the storm. Many of these same employees as well as others now have flooded or damaged homes. A number of faculty and staff members are trying to recover from the storm without electrical power. Some employees were actually displaced by Hurricane Ian.

During this difficult time, we are thinking of our dedicated employees. Faculty and staff — communicate with your supervisors. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer Brandon Young as well if you are experiencing storm-related hardships that could impact your professional responsibilities or make it difficult for you to get to work.

Thank you for your continuing service to Embry-Riddle, even during tough times. Please know that you are a valued member of our university community.

Update: 12:50 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022

Embry-Riddle Continues Returning to Normal Operations

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Daytona Beach Campus is continuing to return to normal and complete repairs, in the wake of a storm that devastated portions of southwest Florida.

Our hearts go out to all Embry-Riddle families as well as employees with both the Daytona Beach Campus and Worldwide locations who have been hard hit by Hurricane Ian.

We are looking for ways to help. As a start, the Eagles Care Emergency Assistance Fund may be able to support eligible students whose families have been seriously affected by the hurricane. Currently enrolled Daytona Beach and Worldwide Campus students who were hard hit by Hurricane Ian may apply to receive up to $1,000 per year. For more information, log onto ERNIE first, then go to this page: https://ernie.erau.edu/Departments/dean-of-students-daytona/Pages/Forms.aspx

Post-Ian Updates

As we have reported, the main Daytona Beach Campus fared well overall, and facilities including the Mori Hosseini Student Union, Boundless restaurant and the Fitness Center are open.

Our Facilities team — much like Campus Safety, Housing & Residence Life, and our dining services provider Sodexo — has never stopped working throughout the storm and its aftermath. Team members are now rapidly addressing some water leakage issues in residence halls and other repairs across campus.

Our Worldwide headquarters and IT building, located on Beville Road in Daytona Beach, are still without power as of this writing. Employees who work in those buildings will be notified when power is back on.

Embry-Riddle’s aircraft fleet is back on the ramp and the Advanced Simulation Center is open. Thank you to all who helped with that operation, including Embry-Riddle President P. Barry Butler, Ph.D., and General Counsel Charlie Sevastos! Flight Operations opened at noon today. Flight students — please communicate with your instructors and let them know your availability.

Classes resume at 8 a.m. on Monday.

Students who have difficulty arranging for travel back to campus by that time should touch base with their professors and flight instructors. Students will not be penalized in any way due to weather-related travel challenges.

Update: 12:10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 30, 2022

Campus Remains Closed — Operations To Resume Tomorrow

Following Hurricane Ian, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Daytona Beach Campus remains closed as cleanup continues, but normal operations will resume on Saturday, Oct. 1.

To help our cleanup and inspection crews finish their work —

Off-campus students and non-essential staff are asked to please refrain from coming back onto campus, except for essential purposes such as meals and showering. Be aware that driving in the Daytona Beach area is hazardous at this time. Many traffic lights are out. Power lines are down. Roads are flooded. Use extreme caution.

At Embry-Riddle, current services are as follows:

Boundless Restaurant is currently offering meal service through 6 p.m. today, with a limited menu. Normal operations will resume tomorrow. Bring your EagleCard.
The Fitness Center, including shower facilities, is open until 5 p.m. today, with operations returning to normal tomorrow. Again, bring your EagleCard.

In addition, going forward:

The Mori Hosseini Student Union will reopen at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 1.
Flight students — watch for a message from Flight leadership. Aircraft are returning to Embry-Riddle. Careful inspections are underway. Supervisors are also monitoring the situation at Daytona Beach International Airport, where flood waters are receding.

Aside from relatively minor issues, the Daytona Beach Campus weathered the storm well. Three residence halls lost power last night, but it was restored by about 5 a.m.

We have had some minor water leakage inside residence halls. Please be assured that Housing & Residence Life staff are inspecting every unit and making a list of needed repairs. Our Facilities team will complete all post-storm repairs as swiftly as possible.

Classes To Resume on Monday, Oct. 3

Face-to-face classes will resume on Monday.

When traveling back to campus, please put safety first and return only when it is safe and feasible to do so. Students and parents can rest assured that faculty and staff will not penalize students who are unavoidably absent due to weather and travel-related absences.

Students should report travel delays to their professors and make arrangements to cover class work.

Further updates regarding Hurricane Ian will be posted to news.erau.edu/ian.

Update: 9:12 a.m. Friday, Sept. 30, 2022

Meal Service To Resume, Fitness Center To Reopen on Daytona Beach Campus

Overall, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University weathered Hurricane Ian well — albeit with localized flooding, inoperative stop lights in the Daytona Beach area and light landscape damage/debris. If you are a student who sheltered in place on campus during the storm, exercise extreme caution. If you sheltered in another location, do not return to campus yet.

Essential staff are returning to campus today to reopen some facilities, including:

Boundless: Meal service for on-campus students will resume at 9 a.m., at Boundless, and run through 6 p.m., with a limited menu. Boxed meal deliveries have been discontinued.
The Fitness Center: The center will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. — including the shower facilities.

Normal business operations for Boundless and the fitness center will resume tomorrow, Saturday, Oct. 1.

For now, academic buildings will remain closed, and leadership will determine next steps for a broader reopening as soon as possible.

Please bring your EagleCard to Boundless and the Fitness Center. You will not be admitted into those or any other on-campus facilities without it.

Thank you for continuing to do your part to help keep Embry-Riddle safe!

Update: 12:32 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022

Stay Safe and Stay Indoors

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Daytona Beach Campus is weathering Hurricane Ian well — but the storm is not over yet. It is critically important for all students who are sheltering in place in residence halls to stay safe and stay indoors. Do not leave the residence halls until you receive an official all clear from Embry-Riddle’s safety team.

The Daytona Beach region is continuing to experience very heavy rain and high winds. There is flying debris. We have one report of a downed power line. Extreme weather conditions are likely to persist until late this evening. Again, stay indoors — for your own safety and to avoid endangering first responders, should you venture outside and become injured.

Campus updates are as follows:

About 1,000 students who chose to shelter in place in residence halls have followed the rules and stayed inside, receiving boxed meals from our Sodexo team.
Residence halls currently have power.
The aircraft fleet remains secured. Our Diamond aircraft were relocated to Dothan, Alabama, before the storm. The Cessna aircraft are in hangars across the area, with a few chained down on the Flight Line.
We have reports of some water pooling in parking lots. Parked vehicles appear to be fine, however.
There have been flash flood warnings across the region. We have also noted some minor water intrusion to several campus buildings.
As soon as the storm passes, we will reopen the campus to essential staff only. We will then determine next steps for a broader reopening.

By official orders of the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, Volusia County has instituted an emergency curfew to safeguard the health and safety of residents. The curfew will be in effect for all non-essential personnel was extended from Wednesday night until 7 a.m. Friday, Sept. 30. Violators of this ordinance could face a fine of up to $500 and/or imprisonment.

Again, please help us ensure that everyone stays as safe as possible. Do not leave your residence halls. Ask for help if you need it. Thank you for working together, Eagles!

Update: 9:43 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022

Embry-Riddle Expresses Thanks

It was a loud, rainy, windy night, but students at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Daytona Beach Campus are safe in their residence halls. The campus seems to have suffered only minimal damage, on first inspection, as Hurricane Ian blasted through the region.

University leadership expressed deep gratitude to students who followed our safety tips for sheltering in place and stayed indoors during the storm. Please continue to stay inside as we continue to get hit by heavy rain and wind bands.

Thanks also to the dedicated employees who helped keep everyone safe, fed and informed at this stressful time.

We will issue further details as soon as possible. All updates will be posted to our information page: news.erau.edu/ian.

Update: 2:40 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022

Don’t Be Fooled — Stay Put: Heavy Rain, Flooding, Possible Tornadoes Expected

With Hurricane Ian currently approaching southwest Florida, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Daytona Beach Campus — located on the other side of the state — is well-prepared to ride out the storm as safely as possible.

Because Daytona Beach is in the bullseye of precipitation from Hurricane Ian, however, university officials urged all students, faculty and staff to stay indoors until the storm passes.

“We will experience extremely heavy rain and localized flooding,” said Dr. Randell Barry, associate professor of Meteorology. “It is also very possible that we will see some tornadoes during the height of the storm. Everyone should resist the urge to venture outside to snap a photo or run an errand. A brief lull in the action does not mean the storm is over. Rain bands will move in and out. And winds may weaken when the storm's center passes over our area, but will then pick up again when the center moves past us.”

Dr. Barry added: “Don’t be fooled — stay put.”

How is Embry-Riddle preparing for the storm? Highlights follow:

Our dining services team, Sodexo, is busy preparing thousands of boxed meals. The meals will be delivered to students who are sheltering in place in residence halls — every morning around 9 a.m., weather permitting.
For added safety, professional staff, including those in charge of Housing & Residence Life as well as Facilities, will be stationed in residence halls, where some students have elected to shelter in place.
The university’s Emergency Operations Team (EOT) is meeting daily, with a goal to pivot plans, as needed. Dr. Barry provides a weather briefing at each meeting.

As it approaches Florida’s southwestern coast, Hurricane Ian currently has maximum sustained winds of 155 mph, Dr. Barry said today. Landfall is expected sometime this afternoon. The storm will then weaken as it moves northeast across the state. In the Daytona Beach area, we are likely to see tropical storm force winds (39 mph-plus) late this evening, with the worst conditions occurring late morning tomorrow, persisting through the day, and subsiding by Friday morning. It is possible that Embry-Riddle could experience sustained winds of 60 mph, with gusts up to 70 mph, Dr. Barry said. Heavy rains and flooding will happen, and tornadoes are quite possible, he added. Hazardous flying debris is likely.

Yesterday, after Ian’s track shifted overnight, Embry-Riddle had announced a campus closure. Since then, tips for safely sheltering in place have been communicated across all channels. Students living in the residence halls were encouraged to return home or to other safe locations if they could do so. Those who have chosen to shelter in place on campus should keep in mind that the residence halls are likely to lose power at some point during the storm. Backup generators will support life and safety systems such as elevators and fire sprinklers, but not HVAC systems.

Embry-Riddle is posting regular updates to a special informational page, which is online here: news.erau.edu/ian.

Update: 11:35 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022

Safety Tips for Sheltering in Place

Students in residence halls who choose to shelter in place should be aware that we are very likely to lose power at some point during the storm. Please keep this in mind when deciding whether to remain in the residence hall or seek alternate safe shelter.

If you shelter in place inside your residence hall, here are some tips:

Contact Campus Safety at 386-226-6480 for non-emergency or 386-226-7233 (SAFE) for urgent matters or emergencies.
Stay inside — even if it looks calm. Don’t go outside unless it is absolutely necessary. Tropical storm-force winds are expected Wednesday evening through Friday afternoon. Use your good judgement. We will take precautions to clear the area of loose objects, but there could still be flying debris that could cause injury. Wait until you hear or see an official message that the hurricane is over. Sometimes, weather gets calm in the middle of a storm, but then it quickly gets bad again.
Stay away from windows — you could get hurt by pieces of broken glass or flying debris during a storm. If glass breaks, move to a room with no windows, or go inside a bathroom or closet.
Be respectful of each other’s space. Remember that we must help each other during an emergency situation.
All university policies concerning alcohol will be strictly enforced. For more information, please refer to the Honor Codes as published on the Dean of Student’s website.
Boxed meals are being prepared in advance and will be available via delivery for all students sheltering in place on campus.
Be ready to leave. Although not anticipated, if your residence hall becomes damaged, requiring you to move to another location, or in the event of a county ordered evacuation — you may need to go to a shelter.
By official orders of the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, Volusia County has instituted an emergency curfew to safeguard the health and safety of residents. The curfew will be in effect for all non-essential personnel from 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 28, to 7 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 29, and from 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 29, to 7 a.m. Friday, Sept. 30. Violators of this ordinance could face a fine of up to $500 and/or imprisonment.

Your safety is important! Please adhere to these safety tips if you choose to shelter in place.

Additional updates will be provided as needed to keep you informed. Please contact Campus Safety at 386-226-6480 if you have any questions or concerns.

Update: 11:45 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022

Embry-Riddle Announces Campus Closure as Hurricane Ian Changes Track

Following an overnight change in Hurricane Ian’s likely path, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University plans to close its Daytona Beach Campus beginning at 5 p.m. EDT or the end of regular business shifts on Wednesday, Sept. 28. Our Worldwide headquarters location in Daytona Beach will close at noon EDT on Wednesday.

For Daytona Beach Campus students living in Embry-Riddle residence halls, basic food options will be provided so that they can shelter in place during the storm.

However, students who can safely return home or implement other hurricane plans are strongly encouraged to do so. All students are urged to touch base with their families to discuss their hurricane plan as soon as possible today.

Key information is as follows:

Classes have been cancelled Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, Sept. 28-30.
Academic buildings as well as Worldwide Headquarters will close at noon EDT on Wednesday.
The Daytona Beach Campus will remain open until 5 p.m. EDT or the end of regular business shifts on Wednesday.
The Mori Hosseini Student Union, Fitness Center and Athletic facilities will close at 5 p.m. EDT on Wednesday.
Food service will be provided until 5 p.m. EDT on Wednesday at the Student Union.
Boundless restaurant will be open until 7 p.m. EDT on Wednesday. If safe to do so, Boundless may also be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. both Thursday and Friday, with a limited menu.
Throughout the storm, boxed meals will be provided. Deliveries are planned to Chanute and the Village. Special dietary needs will be met.
Please keep in mind that this is an emergency situation. We may need to make adjustments to our plan as the situation evolves, always putting safety first.

Embry-Riddle is developing a plan to allow students to complete make-up classes online. Further details about that plan – as well as additional information for employees – will be announced as soon as possible. Employees, look for another message today. Be aware that some departments, such as Flight, will have special instructions.

After the storm passes, Embry-Riddle’s Emergency Operations Team will assess facilities and grounds and announce a safe plan for reopening. Please watch news.erau.edu/ian for regular updates.

Hurricane Ian is a major hurricane, currently at the Category 3 level, and it is expected to intensify before reaching the Tampa Bay area, on the west coast of Florida, said Dr. Randell Barry, associate professor of Meteorology. “This hurricane is then projected to drive toward central Florida, sitting just west of the Daytona Beach area,” he added. Tropical storm force winds and heavy rain, with flooding, are highly likely.

Students — Contact Your Families Now

All students, please contact your loved ones who may be watching weather reports and worrying about you. Let them know you are safe and explain your hurricane plan to them.

Campus Safety & Security Director Jackie Litzinger has emphasized that Embry-Riddle has safely navigated extreme weather events on many occasions over the years. “Embry-Riddle’s hurricane response procedures have been very well-defined and extensively tested,” she said. “The safety of our students, faculty and staff is our number one priority.”

She added that the university’s Vice President for Facilities, Kevin Kreide, as well as Housing & Residence Life Director E.J. Walicki and other professional staff will be stationed in each of the residence halls until the storm passes. Embry-Riddle’s dining services provider, Sodexo, is making arrangements for food delivery to students sheltering in residence halls. Food options will be basic, under the circumstances, but all students in residence halls will receive nutrition.

Belongings Left Behind

Some students and parents have asked if vehicles and belongings can be left on campus.

Students may leave their vehicles on campus, but at their own risk. All vehicles should have a valid parking permit and be left in a lot designated for that permit color. Be aware that car covers are likely to get blown off because we expect high winds and heavy rains, with possible strong guests in our area.

While Campus Safety patrols the parking lots regularly, the university assumes no liability for damages to, or theft of any vehicle or its contents, or for any article of personal property, as documented in our parking regulations.

Students who decide to leave campus before the storm may leave their personal belongings in their residence hall space, but again, the university cannot be responsible for any damage that may occur. Students should speak with their renters’ insurance company, as needed.

Emergency Off-Campus Shelter

For students living off-campus who cannot safely shelter in place at their homes, please implement your hurricane plan and let loved ones know your whereabouts.

Volusia County has announced that it will open six emergency shelters, including special needs shelters. For more information on county shelters, log onto the county’s emergency management webpage.

The county has emphasized that shelters should be considered a last resort.

Off-campus students who do not feel safe sheltering in their own homes are urged to identify alternate locations with friends and family. Those who choose to go to a shelter should pack supplies, including bedding, medications, toiletries, and snacks. Volusia County Emergency Management information can be found online here.

Stay Connected

Again, students — contact your loved ones now!

Students are also 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: getrave.com/login/erau.

We will continue to carefully monitor the storm and provide updates as needed. In the meantime, all students should have an evacuation plan in place now. Log onto ERNIE and go to the Hurricane Preparation page for more information.

For the latest information on the storm’s track and other information, see:

National Hurricane Center’s public advisory webpage (updated regularly)

National Hurricane Center home page

Volusia County Emergency Management

Update: 3:55 p.m. Monday, Sept. 26, 2022

Hurricane Ian: Latest Forecast Shows No Significant Changes

As of 2 p.m. EDT on Monday, Sept. 26, the National Hurricane Center reported a gradual strengthening of Hurricane Ian with no significant changes to the direction of the path, compared with their 11 a.m. EDT report.

The storm’s projected landfall still remains far west of Embry-Riddle’s Daytona Beach Campus, which is located on the east coast of Florida.

“At this point, the storm is behaving essentially like we expected it to, in regard to storm strength,” said Dr. Randell Barry, associate professor of Meteorology. “There are no significant changes to the storm track at this time.”

Embry-Riddle’s Emergency Operations Team will convene tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. EDT to review what is known based on the latest weather forecasts. Any next steps, if appropriate, can then be announced. Please watch https://news.erau.edu/ian.for updates.

Although it can be nerve-wracking for Eagle families to watch weather reports from afar as storms approach Florida, Campus Safety & Security Director Jackie Litzinger emphasized that “Embry-Riddle has safely navigated extreme weather events many times before. We put safety first, we consult closely with our on-staff meteorologists, and we always have contingency plans in place, based on years of experience with these types of situations."

While the storm’s exact path remains uncertain, the Dean of Students team advises students to remain in place and monitor their Embry-Riddle email for any notifications about cancellations/evacuations. Students and parents who feel strongly about making travel arrangements prior to any official communication have been advised to do what they feel is safe for their student. However, the student must take responsibility for letting professors know their plan and ask if they can make arrangements for completing assignments.

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.

For the latest information on the storm’s track and other information, see:

National Hurricane Center’s public advisory webpage (updated regularly)

National Hurricane Center home page

Volusia County Emergency Management

Update: 11:07 a.m. Monday, Sept. 26, 2022

Storm Watch: Ian Strengthens into Hurricane, Currently Moving Far West of Embry-Riddle

With the safety of students, faculty and staff as our top priority, Embry-Riddle leadership is continuing to closely monitor Hurricane Ian.

Currently, the storm is expected to approach the west coast of Florida on Wednesday. Its level of impact on the east coast of Florida, where Embry-Riddle’s Daytona Beach Campus is located, remains unclear at this time, although we can expect to receive rainfall and heavy winds. As of Monday, Sept. 26, the path of Hurricane Ian remains uncertain. The National Hurricane Center does expect a turn toward the north-northwest later today, followed by a northward motion on Tuesday. Rapid strengthening is expected in the next day or so, with Ian forecast to become a major hurricane tonight when it nears western Cuba. Because of the inherent uncertainties associated, the storm is continuing to be carefully monitored by campus meteorologists and safety workers.

Embry-Riddle leadership will make a determination about next steps, as appropriate, once the storm’s trajectory can be determined more precisely. Updates will be posted regularly to https://news.erau.edu/ian.

For the latest information on the storm’s track and other information, see:

National Hurricane Center’s public advisory webpage (updated regularly)
National Hurricane Center home page
Volusia County Emergency Management

Update for Sept. 23, 2022

Monitoring Tropical Depression Nine

Embry-Riddle’s Daytona Beach Campus Safety team has been consulting with faculty meteorologists and closely monitoring the progression of Tropical Depression Nine, which is currently traveling through the Caribbean Sea. The depression is expected to soon become a tropical storm then, once in the Gulf in Mexico, a hurricane — but where it might make landfall is still highly uncertain.

As of midday Friday, Sept. 23, the Daytona Beach Campus is located within the storm’s “cone of uncertainty,” and therefore Embry-Riddle’s Emergency Operations Team is monitoring it.

Currently, the storm appears to be traveling toward the eastern Gulf of Mexico, with possible impacts to the east coast of Florida, but as Dr. Randell Barry, associate professor of Meteorology stresses — at this early stage, things can change quickly.

“It’s still a relatively disorganized storm,” he said. “I’m concerned but no need to be battening down the hatches just yet.”

We should know more, he added, by early next week — which offers valuable time to plan ahead.

“We’ll have to continue monitoring into early next week,” he said. “It’s potentially a very dangerous storm, but just a high degree of uncertainty at this point.”

Update Evacuation Plans Now

In an abundance of caution, all students should have an evacuation plan in place now. Log onto ERNIE and go to the Hurricane Preparation page for more information.

We will continue to carefully monitor the storm and provide updates on the evolution of Tropical Storm Depression Nine and its impacts, as needed.

For the latest information on the storm’s track and other information, see:

National Hurricane Center’s public advisory webpage (updated regularly)
National Hurricane Center home page
Volusia County Emergency Management