Tips From HBCU Leaders On What You Can Do After Hurricane Matthew Passes

Posted by Tommy G. Meade Jr.
Posted on
Major Hurricane Matthew addressed during town hall meeting at FAMU

You survived the wrath of Hurricane Matthew, which left hundreds and thousands of people without power. No what? The impact of Matthew in Florida was discussed during an FAMU town hall meeting Friday.

FAMU also have university staff, students, and volunteers working in the Emergency Operations Center on campus at the black college to assist those impacted by Matthew.

Homes lay in ruins after the passing of Hurricane Matthew in Les Cayes, Haiti, Thursday, Oct. 6, 2016. Two days after the storm rampaged across the country’s remote southwestern peninsula, authorities and aid workers still lack a clear picture of what they fear is the country’s biggest disaster in years. (AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery)

“As you know, the Rattler family stretches far and wide across the nation, and more specifically across [Florida],” an FAMU official said in a statement. “…many of us, in some way or form, may have already been impacted by Hurricane Matthew.”

He continued:

“You may have heard in the news that many families are being gravely impacted by Matthew in the Caribbean and in the southern and central parts of our state, and others…”

…

“As such, we want you to know that FAMU is committed to providing support and services to students, employees and others in need during this challenging time. And we are also working to find ways to reach out to our fellow citizens, fellow universities, and community groups…

“We themed today’s event “FAMU Cares” because we want to utilize this time to inform you about all the ways the university stands ready to assist you and others impacted by the storm.”

FAMU continued to provide additional information for those impacted by the powerful hurricane, writing in a Facebook post that students, faculty, staff, parents, and community members will have access to a call center will be running 24-hours a day through Monday, among other important tips. The university also announced weather updates Saturday in a statement on Facebook. “The following new information is available for Florida A&M University employees, students, and citizens impacted by the storm,” the letter read.

“Information about shelter, dining, emergency support, class attendance, employee relations, and more, is now available on the “Frequently Asked Questions” section of the Hurricane Matthew Alerts page, located at http://www.famu.edu/index.cfm?OfficeOfCommunications&WeatherUpdates.”

Here are more important tips and information on what you can do when Matthew passes.

  • A 24-hour hotline is available through Monday, October 10, for students, employees, families, visitors, and first responders to receive information about on and off-campus shelter, dining, and other emergency services. Please call 850-599-8236, 850-599-8237, or 850-599-8025 for further information.
  • Students and employees evacuating satellite campus areas during the storm or who may be traveling to or from the main campus are asked to submit an emergency tracking form to FAMU’s public safety officials using the following link: http://www.famu.edu/publicsafety/ei….
  • Volunteers are needed to take calls and provide information to the public regarding the storm. To sign up, please call Officer Carlos Hill, Department of Campus Safety and Security, at 850-841-0251.
  • International students in need of assistance as a result of the storm should contact Agnes Coppin at 850-599-3295 or agnes.coppin@famu.edu.
  • As the storm continues to move up the state and toward the Carolinas, students and employees are reminded to exercise caution regarding travel during and after the storm.

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