Hurricane Sandy updates

RIT alerts students as it tracks Hurricane Sandy's potential impact on Rochester.

10:15 a.m. Oct. 30:

RIT remains open today as high winds and heavy rain from Hurricane Sandy have diminished.

The university is advising faculty, staff and students who can’t get to campus today for work and classes to contact their supervisors or professors to make alternate arrangements.

The county’s state of emergency has been lifted. The National Weather Service also lifted the high-wind warning and coastal flood warning as of 7:09 a.m. today. The weather forecast for the week calls for periods of rain.


5:30 a.m. Oct. 30:

All RIT classes and activities will continue as scheduled today (Tuesday, Oct. 30).

RIT will continue to monitor the storm's progress throughout the day.

For more details, continue to check the RIT homepage. Updates will also be posted on RIT's Facebook site and Twitter.


3:30 p.m. Oct. 29:

As of 3:30 p.m. Monday, this is the latest information available regarding Hurricane Sandy.

All RIT classes and activities will continue as scheduled Monday. Check and RIT’s Twitter and Facebook pages for updates. The National Weather Service is forecasting that the effects of Hurricane Sandy will impact Upstate New York and Rochester. This includes heavy rain, flooding and sustained winds of 30 to 40 mph, with possible gusts between 45 and 60 mph, beginning this Monday afternoon and through Tuesday.

RIT has established a toll-free phone number that will have the latest information on the status of Hurricane Sandy’s effect on the university. Call 1-866-624-8330.

Information and tips:

  • Academic Information: If students’ ability to complete projects and/or assignments is impacted as a result of the storm, the provost asks faculty members to be flexible as much as possible in extending deadlines or otherwise working with their students.
  • Housing: If students experience water damage or flooding in their RIT housing, contact Housing Operations during business hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 585-475-2572. After business hours, please call Public Safety at 585-475-2853.
  • Parking Tips:
    • All RIT commuters are advised to avoid parking immediately south of trees due to winds blowing from the north.
    • Students parking in K Lot should avoid parking on the east side of the lot due to possible flooding of Red Creek.
    • Students parking in K Lot should avoid parking on the northern side of the lot to avoid potential tree damage.
  • Dining Services: Dining Services currently plans to have all of its residential dining operations open as normal. If there is a substantial loss of power, Commons, Sol’s and Corner Store will close while Grace Watson remains open with limited emergency services and shelter. Grace Watson will stay open beyond normal hours if necessary.
  • Power Failures: Mini flashlights are available at the Residence Life area offices in the residence halls and the apartment offices at 1 Colony Manor and 113 Riverknoll.
    • If you are in an elevator and power is lost, hit the call button and staff will come to assist you.
    • If power is lost, in attention to RIT’s Alert, Housing Operations and Residence Life will post information in the laundry rooms, area offices, and the lobbies of RIT housing facilities.
  • Be Prepared:
    • Charge all your electronic devices.
    • Turn off all non-essential electronics.
    • During the peak of the storm, use stairs instead of the elevator.
    • DO NOT APPROACH DOWNED WIRES (power lines, telephone, cable, etc.) Report them to the appropriate agency for evaluation.
    • Use 9-1-1 for emergency calls only.

1:45 p.m. Oct. 29:

As of 1:45 p.m. Monday, this is the latest information available regarding Hurricane Sandy.

All RIT classes and activities will continue as scheduled Monday. Check RIT’s Twitter and Facebook pages for updates.

The National Weather Service is forecasting that the effects of Hurricane Sandy will impact Upstate New York and Rochester. This includes heavy rain, flooding and sustained winds of 30 to 40 mph, with possible gusts between 45 and 60 mph, beginning this Monday afternoon and through Tuesday.

RIT is making appropriate preparations for the storm. Here is what you should consider doing:

  • Sign up for RIT Alert, if you have not done so already
  • Charge all your electronic devices
  • Turn off all non-essential electronics
  • During the peak of the storm, use stairs in lieu of the elevator
  • DO NOT APPROACH DOWNED WIRES (power lines, telephone, cable, etc.) Report them to the appropriate agency for evaluation
  • Use 9-1-1 for Emergency Calls Only

More information and tips:

  • Dining Services: Dining Services currently plans to have all of its residential dining operations open as normal. If there is a substantial loss of power, Commons, Sol’s and Corner Store will close while Grace Watson remains open with limited emergency services and shelter. Grace Watson will stay open beyond normal hours if necessary.
  • Power failures: Mini flashlights are available at the Residence Life area offices in the residence halls and the apartment offices at 1 Colony Manor and 113 Riverknoll.
    • If you are in an elevator and power is lost, hit the call button and staff will come to assist you.
    • If power is lost, in addition to RIT Alert, Housing Operations and Residence Life will post information in the laundry rooms, area offices, and the lobbies of our housing facilities.

1 p.m. Oct. 29:

RIT is closely monitoring the status of Hurricane Sandy.

All RIT classes and activities will continue as scheduled Monday. Check RIT’s Twitter and Facebook pages for updates. More detailed information will soon be available about housing, academics, dining services and other operations at the university.

Due to the changing nature of Hurricane Sandy, this is a reminder about RIT’s emergency messaging system, RIT Alert. RIT Alert allows RIT to contact the community in the event of an emergency by sending messages via instant message, text message to cell phones, voice messages to landlines and e-mail.


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