Hurricane Idalia updates: Classes canceled until Thursday
USF announced classes on all three campuses are canceled on Tuesday and Wednesday due to the potential impact of Hurricane Idalia, according to a universitywide email sent Monday.
The university is expected to reopen and resume classes on Thursday, but an official decision will be announced on Wednesday, the email said.
Only staff deemed as “essential personnel” are required to work, according to the email.
Idalia strengthened to a category 1 hurricane on Tuesday morning. It is expected to make landfall as a category 3 hurricane. A storm surge watch and hurricane watch have been put in effect for the Tampa Bay area, meaning that there is a possibility for life-threatening flooding and possible hurricane conditions.
Residence halls
USF St. Pete evacuated students living in its residence halls. Students will be relocated to the Tampa campus at Juniper-Poplar Hall.
If the Tampa residential halls close as well, all students will be transported to approved county shelters, according to the email.
Students are also encouraged to take their car if they evacuate. If a car is left on campus, they must be in their correct designated locations as a valid USF parking pass will still be required to remain parked.
If anything changes, that information will be communicated to residents directly.
USF Health
USF Health clinical facilities will remain open on Tuesday but will close on Wednesday, the email said. Normal operations are expected to resume on Thursday.
Library
The Tampa campus library will be closed beginning 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday and is expected to reopen at 8 a.m. on Thursday, according to the USF library Instagram page.
Rec Center
The USF Recreation and Wellness Center will be closed on Tuesday and Wednesday. It is also expected to reopen on Thursday.
How to prepare
After finding a safe place to shelter, community members should ensure they have a disaster supply kit that will last them for seven days, according to USF’s hurricane guide.
Students can get some of these items at Feed-a-Bull, which will remain open until 4 p.m. on Monday, but will be closed through Tuesday and Wednesday.
To read more about how to evacuate and what to do with your pets, click here to read the full guide.
This article has been updated. Stay with The Oracle for more updates on Hurricane Idalia.
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