CCU calls off class ahead of Hurricane Dorian

This graphic from the National Weather Service shows the projected path of Hurrican Dorian as of Sunday, Sept. 1, at 11 a.m.

Coastal Carolina University students and staff received an email Sunday morning, which informed people that the school would be canceled starting Tuesday, Sept. 3.

“In an abundance of caution, CCU will cancel on-campus classes and will initiate the academic continuity plan, starting Tuesday, Sept. 3,” said the email from the Office of University Marketing and Communication.

This was in response to incoming Hurricane Dorian, which passed over the Bahamas as a Category 5 storm. This email was an update to one from the night before.

“The Governor has declared a state of emergency for South Carolina, and CCU is prepared with plans in place for the campus and residential students,” said the Saturday email.

It seems the state, and the school, are being as cautious as possible.

“The National Hurricane Center’s 11 a.m. update for Hurricane Dorian shows South Carolina to be in the 5-day error cone, which means CCU has the potential to experience impacts.”

In a 2 p.m. press conference on Sunday, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster addressed the situation.

“Out in the ocean is quite a hurricane,” said McMaster. “Be prepared, we know it’s coming.”

“Last time with Hurricane Florence, we had a lot of flooding that we had never seen before,” said McMaster. “Not in many, many years at the very least. So we are preparing for the worst and hoping for the best. But the message is to be prepared. We know it’s coming. It’s going to affect everybody in the state to some degree. So be prepared.”

An evacuation has not been ordered.

The most recent email (as of 4 p.m. on Sunday), advised students who already left for the Labor Day break not to return.

Students are advised to watch out for emails from the interim provost as the storm approaches.

The email also asks students to make sure their evacuation plans are up to date on MyCoastalHome. CCU students should also sign up for CCU Alerts, so they receive the most recent updates as quickly as possible.

Students who live off campus are asked to check their Evacuation Zone status and monitor mandatory evacuation notices. Coastal Carolina is not currently in any mandatory evacuation zone.

On Sunday, the Myrtle Beach Fire Department announced that swimming in the ocean will be prohibited for the remainder of the week due to Hurricane Dorian.

For more information on how CCU handles hurricanes, review CCU’s emergency preparation information and frequently asked questions.

This is the fifth storm in as many years that has resulted in the cancellation of classes.

Please continue to check CCU’s advisory page. We will be updating this story as new information is released.