Storm Updates: Tracking Nicole

Hurricane Nicole graphic

Nov 09, 2022, 11:00 AM

Embry-Riddle Outlines Emergency Food Services

Yesterday, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University announced that classes on its Daytona Beach, Florida, campus would be canceled beginning at noon today, Nov. 9, through Thursday, Nov. 10, as Tropical Storm Nicole impacts our area. (This Friday, Nov. 11, is the Veterans Day holiday.)

Today, Embry-Riddle described its food plan for on-campus students who are sheltering in place in residence hall rooms amid the storm.

Embry-Riddle’s emergency food services will be as follows:

  • The Student Union and food operations within the Student Union will be open until 5 p.m. today, Wednesday, Nov. 9.
  • Boundless restaurant will be open until 7 p.m. today. 
  • Students needing boxed meals to eat on Thursday must pick them up between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. today at Boundless.
  • On Thursday, Boundless will be open from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m., with limited food operations for those students residing in Residence Hall II, adjacent to the restaurant.
  • Sodexo Dining Services will work to ensure that students with allergies or special dietary limitations have their needs met. Those students should contact Mr. Artie Echavarria, at artie.echavarria@sodexo.com, or one of our on-duty chefs today.
  • Students are encouraged to have extra snacks and foods on hand as well as any medications or other essentials.
  • Food operations will return to a normal holiday schedule on Friday.

Professional Embry-Riddle staff from Housing & Residence Life, Campus Safety, Facilities, Dining Services, Communications and other teams will be on campus during the storm to assist students, as needed. 

Again, on-campus students who can safely shelter with family or friends are urged to do so. Tropical Storm Nicole is expected to bring sustained winds of up to 50 mph and five inches of rain to our area. Emergency generators will keep key safety-related systems running, in case of a power outage. Some water intrusion is possible.

Off-Campus Students

Students living off-campus will be able to dine at the Student Union until 5 p.m., or at Boundless restaurant until 7 p.m. today, Wednesday, Nov. 9. Off-campus students may also visit the Fitness Center until noon today.

For anyone needing “last-resort” lodging, Volusia County Schools and Volusia County Government will open four shelters at 10 a.m. today.

General population shelters will be opened at:

  • Creekside Middle School, 6801 Airport Road, Port Orange
  • University High School, 1000 W. Rhode Island Ave., Orange City

Special needs shelters will be opened at:

  • Heritage Middle School, 1001 Parnell Court, Deltona
  • David C. Hinson Middle School, 1860 N. Clyde Morris Blvd., Daytona Beach

Information about what to bring and what to expect at county shelters can be found online.

Embry-Riddle shuttle service will run until 1 p.m. today (weather permitting), with no service on Thursday, Nov. 10. Follow the SGA Shuttle Service Instagram account for updates.

To protect and safeguard the health, safety and welfare of local residents and visitors, Volusia County has enacted a curfew from 7 p.m. tonight to 7 a.m. tomorrow. Bridges across Volusia will by closed by the Florida Department of Transportation when sustained wind speeds reach 39 mph. Bridge closure information will be available at volusia.org/PIN.

Employees

Our goal with staffing during the storm will be to ensure that students’ needs are met and essential health, safety and food-service operations remain up and running. Employees should speak with their supervisors if they are unclear about expectations for their position 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. 

Volusia County yesterday issued a mandatory evacuation order for all residents living east of the Intracoastal Waterway; as well as those in manufactured and mobile homes east of Interstate 95; in low-lying areas and other areas prone to flooding; or in campsites and RV recreational parks. For those seeking emergency housing, Embry-Riddle has a list of hotels offering a discount to our community. Please log onto ERNIE first, then go to https://ernie.erau.edu/Departments/procurement/Documents/2022%20Hotel%20Room%20Rates%20-%20Daytona%20Beach%20Area.pdf. (The hotels listed on the first page of that document, as well as the first one listed on the second page, are not located beachside.

Weather Updates 

As of the National Hurricane Center’s (NHC) 10 a.m. update, Tropical Storm Nicole is expected to move toward the northwestern Bahamas today and advance toward the east coast of Florida within the hurricane warning area — which includes the Volusia/Flagler county line — tonight. Nicole's center is then expected to move across central and northern Florida into southern Georgia Thursday and Thursday night, and then across the Carolinas Friday. 

Maximum sustained winds are currently near 70 mph with higher gusts. Some strengthening is expected today, and Nicole is forecast to become a hurricane near the northwestern Bahamas and remain a hurricane when it reaches the east coast of Florida tonight. 

“Conditions will deteriorate through today, with the worst conditions being experienced on Thursday at daybreak,” said Embry-Riddle meteorologist Dr. Randell P. Barry. “Conditions should improve later in the day on Thursday.”

Be Prepared

Stay tuned to your 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

Students are also reminded to check their Canvas course sites for announcements from their instructors about making up any missed course content.

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

Volusia County will broadcast a live press conference at 2 p.m. today, on the Volusia County Emergency Management Facebook page and YouTube page. 

Nov. 8, 2022 (Afternoon Announcement)

Embry-Riddle Campus to Close at Noon Wednesday, Nov. 9

As we continue to monitor the latest weather forecasts, Embry-Riddle has decided to adjust its class-cancellation schedule: Classes will be canceled beginning at noon on Wednesday, Nov. 9, and all day on Thursday, Nov. 10. This Friday, Nov. 11, is the Veterans Day holiday.

Additional updates are as follows:

  • It now appears that strong wind gusts are likely to impact the Daytona Beach area beginning mid-afternoon tomorrow, Wednesday, Nov. 9. To keep everyone safe, classes will therefore be canceled beginning at noon on Wednesday.
  • As we had announced earlier today, on-campus students may shelter in place in their residence hall rooms. Again, however, those who can safely shelter off-campus are encouraged to do so.
  • Meals will be provided for all students who remain on campus to shelter in place. Additional information will be announced tomorrow.
  • We expect that key on-campus food-service locations will continue to be open through Wednesday evening, based on current weather projections.
  • Preparations are being made to relocate at least 75 aircraft from the Daytona Beach Campus fleet to a location outside the path of Tropical Storm Nicole before 8 a.m. tomorrow. 

Employees: 

Our goal with staffing during the storm will be to ensure that students’ needs are met and essential health, safety and food-service operations remain up and running. 

Classes will be canceled from noon on Wednesday, Nov. 9, through Thursday, Nov. 10, and on Friday, which is a holiday (Veterans Day). As many employees as practical will be released from on-campus service during that timeframe. A number of employees will be urged to stay home, working remotely, as necessary, to fulfill their functions. Still other employees, in units such as Housing & Residence Life, Facilities, Campus Safety, and Food Services, may need to cover essential functions on campus, as they have done in the past. 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. 

Be Prepared

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:

Nov. 8, 2022 (Morning Announcement)

Embry-Riddle to Cancel Classes on Thursday, Nov. 10

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is continuing to closely monitor Tropical Storm Nicole, which was promoted from a subtropical storm this morning. Today’s updates are as follows:

  • In response to the latest forecasts and trajectories for the storm, Embry-Riddle will cancel classes at its Daytona Beach, Florida, campus on Thursday, Nov. 10, to ensure everyone’s safety. There will be no classes on Thursday.
  • Residential students will have the option to shelter in place in their residence hall rooms. Students who are able to safely shelter off-campus with family or friends are strongly encouraged to do so.
  • All students are urged to touch base with their families to discuss their storm plan as soon as possible today.
  • Embry-Riddle will ensure that students receive meals during the storm.
  • We will maintain a minimal level of essential staffing at the Daytona Beach Campus as well as our nearby Worldwide headquarters facility. The Worldwide Campus will also be closing its Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando and Space Coast locations on Thursday. Employees should keep in contact with their supervisors and always put safety first.
  • We are currently working out our complete plan. Another update will be issued tomorrow morning, with further details on food services and any other questions that you may have.

Please keep in mind that this is an emergency situation. We may need to make adjustments to our plan as the situation evolves.

Weather Updates

As of 10 a.m. today, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) was reporting that Tropical Storm Nicole was 350 miles northeast of the northwestern Bahamas with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph. “The anticipated westward turn has appeared to have occurred,” the NHC reported. The NHC forecast calls for Nicole to become a hurricane when it is near the northwest Bahamas and remain a hurricane when it reaches [Florida].”

“In Volusia County and adjacent areas, we can expect sustained winds up to 50 mph with higher gusts,” said Embry-Riddle meteorologist Dr. Randell P. Barry. “Precipitation totals will be around five inches.”

Be Prepared

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:

Volusia County Government will hold another news conference at 2 p.m. today. The news conference will be broadcast live on the Volusia County Emergency Management Facebook page and the County of Volusia YouTube.

Nov. 7, 2022

Stay Safe – Stay off the Beaches This Week

As an approaching storm has the potential to bring more rain, coastal flooding and high tides to the Daytona Beach area, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is urging students, faculty and staff to avoid beachside activities this week.

Officials have warned beachside residents of Volusia as well as Flagler counties that strong winds and dangerous tides could begin as early as tonight and persist for days. The worst impacts in Volusia/Flagler are expected on Wednesday and Thursday, with the potential for tropical storm-force winds and higher rainfall amounts.

The National Hurricane Center’s current wind-arrival predictions suggest that the storm, currently called Subtropical Storm Nicole, will reach the east coast of Florida at around 8 a.m. on Wednesday. As of this morning, Nicole was east of the Bahamas, where it had sustained winds of 45 mph.

At the storm’s peak in our area, breaking waves could reach seven to eleven feet, according to Volusia County officials. Wind predictions may change as the storm continues to take shape, but Embry-Riddle meteorologist Dr. Randell J. Barry said that “we are potentially looking at wind speeds of around 40 mph with higher gusts and total rainfall amounts on the order of 5 inches or so.”

Volusia County officials said that additional beach erosion is expected, and given that a majority of shoreline structures were badly damaged by Hurricane Ian, “Beach conditions during this upcoming weather event are not conducive for beachgoers.” Volusia County has been placed under a state of local emergency.

Say No to Surfing

Embry-Riddle Campus Safety Director Jackie Litzinger urged everyone to stay out of the ocean and off the beaches until the storm passes.

“Surfing, swimming and boating should be avoided during the coming week,” Litzinger said. “For surfers, big waves may sound tempting, but remember that the water is already full of large, sharp debris from Hurricane Ian, and Nicole will bring deadly rip tides, too.”

Never drive through standing water, Litzinger added. “Remember the mantra, `Turn around, don’t drown,’” she said. “Also, use common sense and stay indoors anytime you see airborne debris.”

Beach ramps will be closed, as necessary, Volusia County officials reported. Bridges between beachside and mainland areas will be closed whenever sustained winds exceed 39 mph.

Volusia County emergency management updates can be found online here. The county plans a livestreamed press conference at 2 pm today via this Facebook page and this YouTube channel.