Students who are returning to campus from home, particularly those residing off the peninsula, should follow the directives of local authorities regarding travel. All are urged to be cautious in their return.

The University is most appreciative to those essential personnel and others who worked diligently to maintain the safety of the campus community during Hurricane Sandy.

Chief Edwin L. Lashley

• City presently evacuating several residents in the area of Fitzwater and Main Street due to high water
• Marina power has been shut off per City officials
• Riverside Drive is closed
• Carroll Street is closed
• East Main Street is closed on the East and West side of 13
• Market Street is closed
• Lake Street is closed
• Fitzwater is closed
• Mill Street is closed

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Individuals needing pharmacy services may go to either Rite Aid on South Salisbury Blvd. or the Giant Pharmacy. Currently, both plan to be open until 9 p.m., unless told otherwise. CVS and Walmart are taking it hour by hour.

Student Health Services plans to remain open until 5 p.m. today.

The Commons is closing tonight at 7:30 p.m.

The IT Help Desk, TETC labs and Fulton 145 have closed for the day. Look for updates regarding Tuesday’s schedule.

The Capital Athletic Conference fall tournament schedules have been affected. Please see the Athletics Web site for updates.

The Thursday, November 1, Andreas Klein concert and master class have been postponed.

Due to the University‘s closing on Tuesday and possible power outages due to Hurricane Sandy, Spring 2013 registration will be suspended until the University re-opens. Upon re-opening, the University will notify all students, staff and faculty of the adjusted registration appointment schedule so that students will have an equal opportunity to participate in pre-registration. New appointment schedules will be emailed as well as posted online at http://www.salisbury.edu/gullnet/registration.asp once the final schedule is made.

A flood watch is currently in effect for Wicomico County until 8pm. Sustained winds of 50-55 mph with gusts around 70-75 mph are expected Sunday night into Tuesday. Tuesday is the most likely time period for the strongest wind gusts. A storm surge associated with the passing of the storm could cause flooding in low lying areas and along the Wicomico and Nanticoke Rivers.

This morning County Executive Pollitt participated on a weather update conference call with Governor O’Malley, Maryland Emergency Management Association (MEMA) and the National Weather Service (NWS). Hurricane Sandy is expected to drag on much longer and more intensely with moderate to heavy rains. Governor O’Malley, County Executive Pollitt and Emergency Management officials recommend drivers delay travel until unsafe weather conditions have passed. Traveling on roads could be hazardous because of heavy rain and wind gusts. Floods and flying debris from excessive winds are often the deadly and destructive results of these weather events.

Citizens may call the Hurricane Hotline by dialing 211 for all emergency issues or questions.

Community Emergency Preparedness Information

• Citizens are encouraged to monitor local media and/or weather radio for weather updates.
• Residents living in flood prone areas should be extra vigilant in monitoring their surroundings.
• Residents should secure all outside items/objects due to the expected winds to reduce flying debris/objects.
• Residents should be prepared for possible power outages associated with the storm.

Only those employees who are designated as essential personnel will report to work.

All non-essential employees, except those on previously approved leave, are considered to be on paid administrative leave. Essential employees who fail to report to work will not be paid for the day and may be subject to disciplinary action for failing to report for work. Individuals who are unsure of their position’s status as essential or non-essential should check with their supervisors.

Cancellations and Closings Update

PACE’s U.S. Senatorial Debate on Tuesday, October 30, is canceled (more)

Shady Grove and Hagerstown sites are closed.

The IT Helpdesk and IT computer labs are closing early on Sunday and Monday, October 28 and 29. Sunday hours: Helpdesk and all IT computer labs open from noon to 5 p.m. Monday hours: Helpdesk and all four TETC computer labs, and FH 145 (Mac Lab) open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. All other IT computer labs (Devilbiss Room 205, Fulton Room 142, Perdue Rooms 141 and 248, and Library room 203) are closed.

The Blackwell Library closes Sunday, October 28, at 6 p.m.

Maggs PAC and the University Fitness Club are closing at 8 p.m. Sunday. Tentative hours for Monday and Tuesday are 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Please check the Athletics Web site for further information.

The third annual Monster Dash 5K scheduled for Sunday, October 28, has been postponed.

October 28, 2012 - Salisbury, MD – Wicomico County Executive Richard M. Pollitt, Jr. has issued a Declaration of Emergency for segments of Wicomico County in anticipation of storm force winds and torrential rains that are expected Sunday, October 28th. Executive Pollitt is urging citizens to dial the hurricane hotline, 211, for all storm-related information. Do not dial 911.

Evacuation Details:
Residents in the following areas are encouraged to voluntarily evacuate beginning at 9:00am today and to complete the process by 4:00pm today, October 28th. Heavy rains and strong winds are anticipated to begin Sunday afternoon.

The Zip Codes designated for voluntary evacuations are:

• All of 21840 Nanticoke Post Office, west of Nebo Rd
• All of 21814 Bivalve Post Office, west of Nebo Rd
• All of 21865 Tyaskin Post Office, west of Nebo Rd
• All of 21856 Quantico Post Office, west of Nebo Rd
In the City of Salisbury:
• Residential homes and condominiums on Canal Park Drive in the Canal Woods Community

To view the interactive map of the area within the voluntary evacuation zone go to our website www.wicomicocounty.org and click on the link located under Evacuation Details. Besides alerts from the news media, affected residents will be notified by a pre-recorded phone call and loudspeaker announcements from fire and police vehicles. After speaking first hand with local emergency and public health personnel, Pollitt suggested the voluntary evacuation of segments of the county in low-lying areas where moderate to major flooding is expected.

Shelter:
Citizens are urged to seek shelter with friends/relatives or at a motel or hotel outside of the evacuation area. If this is not possible, shelter is available at the James M. Bennett High School, 300 East College Avenue, Salisbury, MD. The shelter opens today at 9:00am and is pet-accommodating. Evacuations will be focused on disaster response as it relates to ensuring public safety. There will be no Immigration Enforcement or I.C.E. operations associated with disaster preparedness, evacuations, sheltering, return or recovery.

The Wicomico County Department of Emergency Services is continuing to monitor the situation in conjunction with representatives from surrounding counties, local government representatives and first responders, the National Weather Service and the Maryland Emergency Management Association (MEMA).

If citizens plan to use the James M. Bennett shelter, it is suggested that they bring these items:

• Special items for infant, elderly or disabled members of the household
• A change of clothes (several changes)
• List of allergies to any drug (especially antibiotics) or food
• Copy of health insurance and identification cards
• Extra prescription eye glasses, hearing aid or other vital personal items
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Blankets or sleeping bags
• Waterless hand soap
• Games, books etc.
• Baby food diapers
• Toiletries: moist towelettes, toilet paper, garbage bags ties for personal sanitation
• Blankets or sleeping bags for each person
• Prescription medications
• Important Documents
• Flashlights
• Identification

For pets: Don’t forget to move outdoor pets inside during the peak storm period. All outdoor pet items such as doghouses, hutches, bowls, etc. should be secured.

• If sheltering, prepare a “Go-Kit” for your pets/service animals (food, crate, medications, rabies vaccination records/medical records, ID tags, leash, etc.). You are responsible to walk your pet at designated times

The Humane Society will be closed due to the anticipated hours of emergency sheltering until normal business hours on Thursday, November 1, 2012. Animal Control will function as normal until weather conditions deteriorate to unsafe conditions for travel.

Ferries: Both the Upper Ferry and the Whitehaven Ferry are expected to close today at 5pm. However, please call the Ferry Hotline at 410-543-2765 to make certain they are operating.

Landfill/Transfer Stations: The Landfill and transfer stations are expected to close today by 5pm. Call the Solid Waste Division for more information 410-548-4935.

We will continue to provide updates as the storm progresses and more information is made available.

According to current predictions, heavy rains are expected to begin tonight, be widespread by Sunday morning and persist into Tuesday. Long durations of rainfall may cause flooding across the region with up to eight to 11 inches and possibly higher in some areas, depending on where Sandy moves onshore.

At this time, high winds are expected to begin Sunday afternoon and continue through Monday with averages up to 45 miles per hour and gusts of 60 miles per hour possible. Prolonged strong winds combined with flooding increase the possibility of downed trees and power outages.

Salisbury University’s Emergency Preparedness Team, working with the Maryland Emergency Management Agency and Wicomico County Emergency Services, has instituted emergency storm preparations for the weekend and beyond.

All information from previous alerts is still in effect: Those living off-campus are encouraged to keep a three-day supply of non-perishable food and water in their rooms or home, along with flashlights, radios, extra batteries and first aid materials, and extra cash. Fill your cars with gas and keep cell phones and computers fully charged. Know your roommates’ whereabouts and those of as many neighbors as you can. Frequently communicate with friends and family. Stay inside away from potentially hazardous windows.

Online resources for faculty wishing to prepare their courses for weather emergencies are available at http://www.salisbury.edu/instructionaldesign/weather_emergency.html.

Students living on campus should follow the instructions of Housing and Residence Life staff in planning and preparation. Unless otherwise announced, SU dining facilities and Blackwell Library will continue normal operations.

Monday’s screening of "Secrets of the Dead" and Tuesday’s performance by the Slovenian Sax Quartet, both in the Great Hall, have been canceled.

Please continue to monitor the SU Web site, campus e-mail and local media for updates and additional potential closings, including classes. If the campus Web site goes down, information will be made available on the SU Facebook page, www.facebook.com/pages/Salisbury-University/122620361558 or SU Twitter account, http://twitter.com/SalisburyU. The SU Gull Line at 410-546-6426 also will be updated.

For the latest on the weather, please monitor the National Weather Service at www.nws.noaa.gov and the Weather Channel at www.weather.com.