Hurricane Irene, a Category 3 storm, is expected to impact Massachusetts as early as this weekend.  The National Hurricane Center’s projected track shows the center of Irene passing through Massachusetts Sunday night and Monday morning as a Category 1 or 2 storm, or possibly a weak Category 3.  Irene is still several days out, however, and the projected track could potentially be off by as much as 200 miles and the projected timing by 6 to 8 hours

The University is communicating with students faculty and staff to ensure that everyone is aware of the possible storm and available resources.

Before the storm

If you don’t have a flashlight, this is a good time to get one.  For students in the dorms, there is approximately one hour of emergency lighting in the stairwells and hallways.  RAs will have flashlights.

Please remember to charge your cell phones and laptops, backup your files, and have a small amount of cash on hand (in case stores are open but cannot use credit/debit cards)

Register for emergency alerts through MessageMe (www.messageme.harvard.edu)

Keep items of value (sentimental or otherwise) off the floor (if you are on the ground floor or below) and off the window sills in case of flooding.

Check www.emergency.harvard.edu and 1-866-496- NEWS for Harvard-specific information related to the hurricane

Check the Harvard Hurricane Preparedness Guide (attached) for more detailed advice.

Please review the Harvard Emergency Guide at www.uos.harvard.edu/opscenter/Emergency_Guide.pdf

During the storm

Keep all windows and doors closed and secured

Stay inside

Keep a flashlight near for power loss (do not use candles)

Turn off unnecessary lighting and equipment (including computers and monitors)

Contact Harvard Police (617-495-1212) in the event of an emergency 

After the storm

Report any Harvard facility related damage and emergencies to the University Operations Center at 617-495-5560 (available 24 hours a day)

Check www.emergency.harvard.edu and 1-866-496-NEWS for post-hurricane instructions

We will continue to monitor the path of the hurricane and the forecast, and will keep you updated if conditions change.

Here is to an uneventful weekend!

As the new year gets underway, please take a minute to register, or renew your registration, with Harvard University’s Emergency Notification System.

MessageMe allows the University to quickly distribute critical information to you during an emergency.

Please sign up at

https://messageme.harvard.edu/

The Bad News:  The database has turned over each year so returning students still need to complete the process.

The Good News:  That is changing this year so if you enter your graduation month and year you will never have to do this again.

With Hurricane Irene heading north, it is particularly important to sign up today in case we need to send any emergency announcements in the next few days.

We will follow with an email specifically about the hurricane later today.

Thanks.