The University has a hurricane plan -- which is part of the Emergency Operations Plan -- that sets out preparation procedures, designates responsibilities to UTampa administrators and outlines courses of action to be followed in response to a possible tropical storm or hurricane landfall in Tampa. The execution and direction of the hurricane plan is the responsibility of the Emergency Operations Team, consisting of key members of the University administration and staff, including the President, Operations, Student Affairs, Campus Safety, Marketing and Communications, Facilities, Dining Services, Academic Affairs and others.

Yes, the Emergency Operations Team works closely with local, state and federal emergency managers. As a StormReady University, UTampa is in direct contact with meteorologists in the local National Weather Service office. UTampa is also part of a consortium of higher education officials who meet regularly to discuss emergency preparations, as well as communicate during a large-scale emergency.

The National Hurricane Center is the best resource to find accurate and up-to-date forecasts.

Yes, the UTampa campus is located within two FEMA-designated evacuation zones – Zones A and B. View the Hillsborough County Evacuation Zones Map.

The University will decide whether or not to close residence halls prior to a tropical weather event. If the University closes due to tropical weather, residential students will be notified whether or not the residence halls have also been closed.  Depending on the severity of the weather event and even if residence halls remain open, residential students may be encouraged to find secure lodging off-campus. However, unless evacuation orders have been issued, the University will make an effort to accommodate residential students if they have no alternative place to go. If campus is evacuated under order of local officials, or is deemed unsafe by University officials, then residential students will be evacuated to a Hillsborough County emergency shelter.

Weather events are unpredictable and campus officials will make decisions in the best interest of the UTampa community. In general, in a tropical weather event, the University will be evacuated when local officials or University administrators deem campus to be threatened. In the case of a mandatory evacuation of Zone A, all residential students would be evacuated from campus to a Hillsborough County emergency shelter. Residential students are encouraged to identify a shelter location prior to a tropical weather event. Evacuating to a county shelter is an option of last resort.

Evacuation orders are made by local county and city officials, or UTampa administrators, and their timing depends on the nature of the storm.

The University will provide transportation to and from the shelter.

In the event of an evacuation, only service animals will be permitted at the University-designated shelter. Owners of emotional support animals must secure other shelter options. Pet-approved shelters in Hillsborough County.

During tropical weather, non-residential students or commuters will need to utilize city and county resources. UTampa cannot provide housing or any resources on campus for them, as administrators can manage only the students still remaining on campus. UTampa encourages all students to secure safe lodging once an announcement to close is made. For more information, please visit Hillsborough County Emergency Management.

UTampa’s tropical weather page is regularly updated during a tropical weather event. Depending on the severity and urgency, information may also be posted on the UTampa homepage and on social media (including Facebook and Twitter). Additionally, University students and employees who have their cell phone listed in Workday are automatically enrolled to receive emergency alerts and other safety information.

UTampa will publish regular advisories on these communication channels:

• Campus email (for students, faculty and staff)
• www.ut.edu/weather
• Social media ( Facebook and Twitter)
• SMART text alert system

During a tropical weather threat, the EOT meets regularly to receive updates on the status of the hurricane, how it is expected to impact the University and preparations that are being made to prepare the campus and community. Our goal is to communicate regularly with the UTampa community with updates posted on www.ut.edu/weather, and via email, text alerts and social media.

Parents and other interested parties should regularly check www.ut.edu/weather when there is a threat of tropical weather. It will have the most up-to-date information, and will be updated regularly. Additionally, parents with email addresses on file with the UTampa Family Association may receive emails, as possible, summarizing campus situations.

Through a combination of text alert, email, social media and posting on the UTampa website and tropical weather page.

All UTampa students, faculty and staff who input a cellphone number in Workday will receive emergency text messages from “UTampaAlert.” All students should log in to Workday and update their contact information. The system currently does not have the capability to send text alerts to parents.

• If you have time to look at one site, make it the National Hurricane Center.
• Want to see what hurricane winds do to palm trees and houses?  Check out this gif.
• Take a good overall picture of global storm activity.
• Debunking hurricane myths and hurricane FAQs
• Follow these websites for timely information about storms and their projected paths (cone of uncertainty/probability):
  • National Hurricane Center
  • City of Tampa Emergency Management Announcements
  • Hillsborough County Alerts (HCFL Alert)
  • Tampa Bay Times
  • Tampa Bay Online
  • News Channel 8
  • Florida Division of Emergency Management

More information can be found on preparing for hurricanes at the bottom of UTampa’s tropical weather page.

• Move important items away from windows.
• Remove all food from refrigerators, in case of power outages.
• Take animals (fish included) with you or find a shelter to care for them.
• Turn off water and unplug all electronics.
• If you live on a lower floor, move all items off the floor onto a bed or desk.

Absences due to storms are excused. Please see the General Attendance Policy in the University Catalog. Students should contact instructors as soon as possible in these cases. Instructors may require documentation or verification to excuse unscheduled absences. Instructors will provide an alternative opportunity to replace missed work or assignments; however, arranging to replace missed work is the responsibility of the student.  

No. The General Attendance Policy assures students will be provided an alternative opportunity to replace missed work or assignments; however, arranging to replace missed work is the responsibility of the student.

Absences due to a storm are excused by the General Attendance Policy, but the student should be prepared to provide documentation or verification that the absence was a consequence of a storm. Students should contact their professors to let them know when they cannot attend due to a storm, and must work with the faculty to arrange to replace work that has been missed.

• Hillsborough County Emergency Management
• City of Tampa

UTampa’s PEACE Volunteer Center coordinates volunteer efforts on campus. Contact the office directly to inquire about opportunities at (813) 253-6263 or email peace@ut.edu. As soon as PEACE announces community service opportunities they will be communicated to the UTampa community.