Storm Preparedness In the Wake Of Hurricane Nate

After facing Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, the United States is hit with yet another tropical storm, Hurricane Nate. At 85 mile per hour winds, Nate is deemed a category one hurricane, and has already made damage along the Mississippi coast and the northern Gulf coast, clearing entire roads, knocking trees and ripping down power lines. Nate has made its way up the east coast and is expected to bring strong winds, heavy rain, and possible ash ooding to the northeast.

In the event of a hurricane or severe storm hitting Long Island, LIU Post is prepared. The university works closely with the Nassau County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) to determine the best course of action with the most up-to-date information, according to Michael Fevola, director of Public Safety. “The university will send out mass text messages and emails to our campus community, advising them of what precautions should be taken,” Fevola said. Those precautions could range from students remaining in their dorms, away from any windows, to partial evacuation, which includes commuter students, faculty, and staff, or a full evacuation of the entire campus.

“I feel like the [resident] building is very sturdy, and I feel safe inside my dorm,” Michaela Fox, sophomore musical theater major, said. “If it would come to the point where I thought the windows would break through, I would just stay away from them,” she said. Public Safety advises the community to avoid large trees, windows, elevators, and low-lying areas in case of a violent storm.

Sophomore psychology major Makayla Lopez, has her storm preparation plan. “I would get a bag together with all of my necessities, valuables, and a comfort item, and I’d make sure all loose items are put away around the room if the window breaks,” Lopez said. “I would charge my phone if I could. If the storm got really bad, I would go to the hallway or a room in the center of the building.”

Fevola stated that all buildings on campus provide refuge from a severe storm, as all buildings meet or exceed building codes. Several buildings on campus are equipped with backup generators in the case of a power outage, those being Pell, Hoxie, Roth and Kahn Halls, Humanities, the Winnick and McGrath Houses, Hillwood Commons, the Pratt Recreation Center, the Little Theater and Theater & Film building, the Tilles Center, the library, and all in-use residence halls. All other buildings, including the Chapel, the music and sculpture buildings, the Fine Arts Center, and Lorber Hall are equipped with backup emergency lighting.