Western North Carolina has been hit with the most devastating storm it has seen in modern history. Hurricane Helene made landfall along the Florida Gulf coast late Sept. 26. The storm impacted North Carolina in the early morning hours of Sept. 27.
Western Carolina University has been monitoring the impact of the area. Classes have been postponed on the main campus and Biltmore Park campus through Oct. 4. This includes distance students.
The university went live on Instagram and Facebook on Sept. 30 at 4:30 pm to share updates with the community.
Provost Richard Starnes shared that all assignments due during this time are no longer currently due. As normal operations resume, assignments and due dates will be reevaluated.
The university will make a conditions-based decision about any further postponement of classes. No decisions have been made yet.
The university is operating under Condition Level 3 (Closure) as defined in the university’s Adverse Weather and Emergency Events/Closing Policy. This means only mandatory operations and employees are permitted to work, as determined by a supervisor. Non-mandatory faculty and staff will not be charged leave and are urged not to travel.
WCU’s campus has access to power, water and Wi-Fi. All off-campus water sources are on a boil water advisory per the Tuckasegee Water and Sewer Authority.
The TWSA is also urging the community to conserve water.
Students are being strongly encouraged to stay in Jackson County as roads are still dangerous.
The NCDOT is considering all roads closed in WNC until further notice.
REMINDER: 𝘼𝙇𝙇 𝙍𝙊𝘼𝘿𝙎 in Western North Carolina should be considered 𝘾𝙇𝙊𝙎𝙀𝘿.
I-40 and I-26 are impassable in multiple locations.
Travel in this area for non-emergency purposes is hindering needed emergency response.#ncwx #Helene pic.twitter.com/jtK2ZMJW9T
— NCDOT (@NCDOT) September 28, 2024
Various places throughout Jackson County have free Wi-Fi access:
Family weekend activities have been rescheduled to Nov. 16.
The University Center is open. There are movies, games and a place for students and community members to connect through these difficult times. The UC is a good place for students with questions and concerns to go.
Cat Trans are still operating.
Counseling and Psychological Services as well as student health services are operating under limited staff and hours.
Essential operations are open on WCU’s campus. We have included a list of hours of operation through Oct. 4.
Campus Recreation Center
11 am – 7 pm
Climbing wall
4 pm – 7 pm
Campus Dining
Catamount Cafe: 7 am – 8 pm
Freshens: 10:30 am – 8 pm
Which Wich: 10:30 am – 3:30 pm
Papa Johns and Bellasui: 10:30 am – 8 pm
Panda Express: 10:30 am – 8 pm
Moes: 10:30 am – 8 pm
Starbucks: 7 am – 8 pm
Chilis: 11 am – 4 pm
C-Store: 8 am – 8pm
Einstein Bros. Bagels: 8 am – 2:30 pm
University Center hours of operation through Oct. 3
8 am – 9 pm
There will be a town hall meeting on Oct. 1 at 5:30 pm in the the Blue Ridge Conference room. Students and community members are invited to attend.
The Western Carolinian will continue to share updates through the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
