This story was written on September 26, the day Hurricane Helene arrived in Western North Carolina.
As the tropical bands of Hurricane Helene approach Western North Carolina, classes are canceled Thursday, Sep. 26, and Friday Sep. 27.
By the time the storm reaches Cullowhee it is expected to be a tropical storm, which can be defined by the National Weather Service as a tropical cyclone that has maximum sustained surface winds ranging from 39-73 mph.
Due to the expected inclement weather, students are taking advantage of the four-day weekend but are also being urged to keep off the roads and stay aware of their surroundings. Residents of Cullowhee should stay alert and aware of the possibility of landslides and flash floods.
Flooding is anticipated in parts of campus with as much as 10-15 inches of rain, and winds are expected to reach 40, possibly even 50 mph.
Due to its Adverse Weather Policy, WCU is exercising caution and operating under Condition Level 2 (Suspension of Non-Mandatory Operations). Typical examples of mandatory operations include law enforcement and public safety, direct patient care, operating high risk or sensitive research facilities, critical student support services, facility operations and campus utilities.
Despite the hazardous weather, some resources on campus are still accessible to students and faculty. Catamount Cafe will continue its normal operating hours, as will Brown Dining Hall, providing campus residents with a safe way to access food, avoiding the risk that comes with driving in dangerous conditions.
While taking precautions is important, some students such as Sophomore Owen Lackey, have found unique ways to ride out the storm. Lackey and his friends, as well as several other groups around campus, spent the stormy day sliding down the rain-soaked hills on campus. With trash bags cut with holes for their heads and arms, students are taking dish soap and sliding down steep hills on campus in the rain.
“We wanted to take advantage of this unexpected weather,” Lackey said.
For the Appalachian Mountains tropical storms are a rare occurrence. For those bored in their dorms, it was essential to get creative and find fun in a safe manner on campus.
Information on campus emergency updates can be found at Campus Emergency Updates.
