In case of emergency
Exploring disaster preparedness at SIUE
Holly Meyer
Issue date: 8/17/07 Section: News
SIUE slowly turned into a giant icicle on the evening of Nov. 30, 2006. The weight of the ice created during this winter storm snapped tree limbs from trunks and knocked down power lines leaving a large portion of the area without electricity.
While some students went sledding, other students had to make arrangements to stay warm.
Senior Whitney McMurray said her apartment in Cougar Village lost power during the storm, so she went to stay with one of her sorority sisters in another part of the complex.
However, McMurray was not the only person seeking warmth in her friend's apartment.
"It was 10 of us in there," McMurray said. "And she had a kid, too."
Despite the cramped quarters, the lack of power made the group resort to more primitive entertainment.
"It was interesting," McMurray said. "We made it a big ol' slumber party."
After five days of living with her friend, power was finally restored to McMurray's apartment.
The ice storm caused the school to close for a day on Dec. 1.
Vice Chancellor for Administration Kenn Neher makes the call to close the school in the event of inclement weather.
Neher said he sends out a newsletter to the university every year regarding the inclement weather policy.
Whether the university is closed is based on the policy, Neher said.
"When extreme conditions are judged to exist, all campuses of the university will be closed for a specified period of time," according to the Inclement Weather Policy.
For the entire Inclement Weather Policy, check out www.siue.edu/policies/2c1.shtml.
Another common weather hazard is tornado-like weather.
Director of Administrative Services Bob Vanzo said SIUE has not been hit directly by a tornado in recent history, but it has been affected by tornado-like weather.
On July 19 and 21, 2006, high winds and rains knocked out power to parts of the campus and Cougar Village.
Classes were cancelled on the East St. Louis campus for a day and a half.
While some students went sledding, other students had to make arrangements to stay warm.
Senior Whitney McMurray said her apartment in Cougar Village lost power during the storm, so she went to stay with one of her sorority sisters in another part of the complex.
However, McMurray was not the only person seeking warmth in her friend's apartment.
"It was 10 of us in there," McMurray said. "And she had a kid, too."
Despite the cramped quarters, the lack of power made the group resort to more primitive entertainment.
"It was interesting," McMurray said. "We made it a big ol' slumber party."
After five days of living with her friend, power was finally restored to McMurray's apartment.
The ice storm caused the school to close for a day on Dec. 1.
Vice Chancellor for Administration Kenn Neher makes the call to close the school in the event of inclement weather.
Neher said he sends out a newsletter to the university every year regarding the inclement weather policy.
Whether the university is closed is based on the policy, Neher said.
"When extreme conditions are judged to exist, all campuses of the university will be closed for a specified period of time," according to the Inclement Weather Policy.
For the entire Inclement Weather Policy, check out www.siue.edu/policies/2c1.shtml.
Another common weather hazard is tornado-like weather.
Director of Administrative Services Bob Vanzo said SIUE has not been hit directly by a tornado in recent history, but it has been affected by tornado-like weather.
On July 19 and 21, 2006, high winds and rains knocked out power to parts of the campus and Cougar Village.
Classes were cancelled on the East St. Louis campus for a day and a half.
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