Tropical Storm Isaias Information

As Tropical Storm Isaias approaches, make sure that you and your family are prepared. The following resources are provided by ECU, the National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration (NOAA), the North Carolina Department of Public Safety, and The Pitt County Emergency Office.

ECU Status – Aug. 3, 12 p.m.

Due to the anticipated impacts from Tropical Storm Isaias, East Carolina University employees will operate under Condition 1 of the UNC System Adverse Weather & Emergency Event policy from today, Aug. 3 starting at 10 p.m. until Tuesday, Aug. 4 at 3 p.m.

The National Weather Service has issued a Tropical Storm Warning for Pitt County along with a flash flood watch. The region is forecast to receive tropical storm force wind gusts and periods of heavy rainfall, which may result in flash flooding in low-lying areas and damage to trees. Tropical Storm Isaias is expected to strengthen to a Category 1 hurricane before making landfall in North Carolina.

Forecasts for the Greenville area call for 3-5 inches of rain with sustained winds of 45-55 MPH and gusts of 60-70 MPH. There is a significant threat for tornadoes in our area. Impacts are expected to begin Monday night and continue into Tuesday morning. Some flash flooding can be expected on city streets, similar to what Greenville experiences during strong thunderstorms. Do not drive, swim or walk through floodwaters. Current forecasts anticipate the Tar River remaining below flood level.

For employees, beginning at 10 p.m. Monday, Aug. 3, and continuing until 3 p.m. Aug. 4, the university will operate under Condition 1 of the UNC System Adverse Weather and Emergency Event policy. Employees should check with their managers regarding schedules and alternate work locations. For details about the Adverse Weather and Emergency Event Policy and Condition levels, visit www.ecu.edu/prr/06/45/02 .

Conditions experienced by individuals will vary, and everyone is responsible for their actions and safety. You must make the most responsible decision for you personally; you know your circumstances and travel route best. Continue to monitor local weather forecasts and ECU Alerts. Please visit The Office of Environmental Health and Safety’s website for more information on hurricane preparedness. Updates also will be posted on ECU’s Twitter account @EastCarolina using the hashtag #ECUIsaias.

For updates on student services including housing and move-in, visit https://studentaffairs.ecu.edu/. At this time, residence hall move-in will continue as scheduled.

If you live in off-campus housing and are unsure whether your house or complex is in a low-lying area or is prone to flooding, contact your property manager now and ask.

ECU Physicians clinics will operate normal hours on Tuesday, Aug. 4. Information is available on a special hotline: 252-744-5080 or 1-800-745-5181. Dental patients should call 252-737-7834 for appointments in Ross Hall or their respective Community Service-Learning Centers.

National Hurricane Center Current Forecast

For the most up-to-date forecast, visit NOAA’s Hurricane Center webpage.

Monday, Aug. 3, 11 a.m.

At 11 a.m. EDT, the center of Tropical Storm Isaias was  located by an Air Force Reserve reconnaissance aircraft and NOAA Doppler weather radars near latitude 30.7 North, longitude 80.1 West. Isaias is moving toward the north near 13 mph (20 km/h), and this general motion is expected to continue today. A turn toward the north-northeast along with an increase in forward speed is expected by this late afternoon or early evening, followed by a faster northeastward motion tonight and Tuesday. On the forecast track, the center of Isaias will pass well east of the Georgia coast through this afternoon. The center of Isaias will then approach the coasts of northeastern South Carolina and southern North Carolina within the hurricane warning area this evening. The center will then move inland over eastern North Carolina tonight, and move along the coast of the mid-Atlantic states on Tuesday and into the northeastern United States Tuesday night.

Data from the reconnaissance aircraft and NOAA Doppler weather radars indicate that maximum sustained winds remain near 70 mph (110 km/h) with higher gusts. Some strengthening is forecast this afternoon, and Isaias is expected to regain hurricane strength just before it reaches the coast of northeastern South Carolina or southern North Carolina tonight. Only slow weakening is anticipated after Isaias makes landfall in the Carolinas and moves across the U.S. mid-Atlantic region tonight and Tuesday.

Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 125 miles (205 km) from the center. The estimated minimum central pressure based on reports from the aircraft is 998 mb (29.47 inches).

Evacuation Orders

There are no current mandatory evacuation orders from the North Carolina Department of Public Safety. Keep up to date with evacuation orders at the N.C. Department of Public Safety website.

Evacuation routes for North Carolina residents are available online.

Local Evacuation Orders

Local Forecasts and News

Keep up to date with the latest regional forecasts and news updates from your regional news services.

• WITN
• WNCT
• WCTI
• Daily Reflector
• City of Greenville

ECU Alert Information: Hurricane Safety

ECU Alert Information provides hurricane information and hurricane preparation tips in English and Spanish. Visit the ECU Alert Information Hurricane Safety webpage to learn more about preparing for a storm.

ECU Office of Environmental Health and Safety Severe Weather Plan

ECU’s Office of Environmental Health and Safety offers severe weather information and resources to students, staff and the ECU community. Visit the OEHS website for hazardous weather information, preparation resources and emergency numbers.

Hurricane Prep Checklist

Provided by NOAA and Pitt County.

The best time to prepare for a hurricane is before hurricane season begins on June 1. It is vital to understand your home’s vulnerability to storm surge, flooding, and wind. Here is your checklist of things to do before hurricane seasons begins.

• Know your Zone: Do you live near the Gulf or Atlantic Coasts? Find out if you live in a hurricane evacuation area by contacting your local government/emergency management office or by checking the evacuation site website.
• Put Together an Emergency Kit: Put together a basic emergency kit. Check emergency equipment, such as flashlights, generators and storm shutters. Pitt County also provides a hurricane ready kit checklist.
• Write or Review Your Family Emergency Plan: Before an emergency happens, sit down with your family or close friends and decide how you will get in contact with each other, where you will go, and what you will do in an emergency. Keep a copy of this plan in your emergency supplies kit or another safe place where you can access it in the event of a disaster. Start at the Gov emergency plan webpage.
• Review Your Insurance Policies: Review your insurance policies to ensure that you have adequate coverage for your home and personal property.
• Understand NWS forecast products, especially the meaning of National Weather Service (NWS) watches and warnings.
• Preparation tips for your home from the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes.
• Preparation tips for those with chronic illnesses.

Pitt County Closings/Delays

• Pitt County Emergency Information
• City of Greenville
  

Storm Shelter Openings

• Storm shelter openings

Ferry Schedule

North Carolina’s ferry schedule may be altered due to Hurricane Isaias. Please consult the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s N.C. Ferry System webpage for more information about schedule alterations, delays and closings.

Current Power Outages

The North Carolina Department of Public Safety provides a map of reported power outages across the state.