News

Florida State closing as hurricane approaches

by Megan Keller - 10/08/18 12:47 PM ET

Florida State University is closing this week in anticipation of Hurricane Michael, which is expected to hit the Gulf Coast Wednesday.

The university will be closed Tuesday through Friday and expects to resume normal operations next Monday.

{mosads}”Students are encouraged to discuss possible travel plans with family and friends,” the school wrote in an announcement it posted to Twitter on Monday, warning students not to travel into the path of the storm.

“FSU is prepared to support students throughout the storm,” the announcement added. “On-campus residence halls and dining facilities will remain open for current residential students during the closure.”

FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY TO CLOSE TUESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY.
FSU Tallahassee and Panama City, FL campuses to close tonight (Monday) at 12:01 a.m. Visit: https://t.co/LxTBNwNzSa for official updates. pic.twitter.com/j5Gq54uhBD

— Florida State University (@floridastate) October 8, 2018

Florida Gov. Rick Scott (R) declared a state of emergency Sunday in preparation for Michael.

“With the National Hurricane Center forecasting Tropical Depression 14 to strengthen and impact Florida’s Panhandle as a hurricane, families need to get prepared,” Scott said.

“If any Florida family doesn’t have an emergency preparedness plan, now is the time to act,” he added.

Candidates in Florida’s Senate and gubernatorial races are briefly suspending their campaigns as they deal with the necessary preparations for Michael.

Michael is currently a Category 1 hurricane but could become a Category 3 by the time it makes landfall.

Michael is expected to head northeast Wednesday and Thursday along the Atlantic Coast and up to the Carolinas, which are still dealing with the aftermath of last month’s Hurricane Florence.

Tags Hurricane Michael Tropical Storm Michael