Savannah State University (SSU) is taking cover. Hurricane Matthew has been ranked a category 4 storm on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale. Any storm labeled as category 3 and higher is considered to be a major hurricane due to the significant potential loss of life and damage.
Located right on the Wilmington River that dumps into the Atlantic Ocean, Savannah State is unfortunately directly in the in the line of fire for Hurricane Matthew. In this desperate time, one glimpse of positivity is the fact that SSU is not alone. Student and staff leaders from historically black college and university, Fort Valley State University (FVSU) are offering shelter to the SSU tigers. FVSU is about 3 hours from SSU and is not expected to be devastated by the storm.
Nearly 200 students from Savannah State are making their way to the campus of FVSU and will be housed in the Health and Physical Education Complex on the FVSU campus. Our thoughts and prayers are with them as 6 have already lost their lives to this storm, and an estimated 1.4 million are without power.
The Chief of FVSU’s Department of Campus Police & Safety and Chair of the Emergency Management team, Ken Morgan says:
“Savannah State University’s student relocation to FVSU is part of an existing emergency management agreement that includes providing evacuated students with lodging, dining services and other amenities, such as free wireless internet and extracurricular activities.”
Family and friends of the affected Savannah State University students can call 478-825-4264 for additional information.
