College to be Closed Monday, Students Picking Up Food Packets TODAY

The rain has begun, as shown in this photo by Public Safety patrol
 officer Candace Tyrell.

CHESTERTOWN, MD--Washington College will close its offices on Monday, October 29, as a precaution against the winds and rains of Hurricane Sandy. (See the bottom of this update for the latest weather predictions from the Kent County Office of  Emergency Services.)

The WEEKEND SHUTTLE will make a trip across the Bay Bridge today, Sunday, Oct. 29 at 4 p.m. and plans are being made for a return shuttle on Wednesday morning, October 31, as weather and road conditions allow.  Students should check their email messages and the Web site for any updates on the shuttle schedule.

DINING SERVICES WILL BE CLOSED MONDAY, but students can pick up food supplies today, Sunday, from 2 to 7 p.m. in the Dining Hall to use as they shelter in place in their residence halls. 

These food supplies include bottled water, cereals, granola bars, fresh cut fruit, whole fruit, and deli sandwiches.

Dining Services plans to re-open Tuesday, Oct 30, 2012 with brunch at 10:30 a.m. as conditions permit.  Students should plan on taking enough food supplies for all of Monday through Tuesday Brunch.

  

SAFETY STAFF: Members of the Public Safety and Buildings & Grounds staffs will be on duty as needed throughout the storm.

MILLER LIBRARY will close today at 5 p.m. and stay closed through Monday.

STAY INDOORS! As conditions deteriorate, students who remain on campus will be asked to shelter in place in their residence halls. We anticipate that the most dangerous conditions will begin Monday morning and last 24 hours or more.

FUTURE UPDATES:  The Emergency Operations Group plans to provide twice-daily updates on conditions and campus plans. Specifically, plans for Tuesday hours of operation will be updated through emails and WAC alerts and on the Web site.

Staff work schedules: Staff members who have questions about their specific work responsibilities and schedules during the storm should call their supervisors. 

UPDATE from the Kent County Office of Emergency Services:

Our latest briefing with National Weather Service has given us the following information:

- High Wind Warning from 8 a.m. Monday to 9 a.m. Tuesday.

- Winds expected to be 35-45 mph sustained with gusts of 60 to 75 mph

- Strongest winds expected between 4 p.m. Monday and 4 a.m. Tuesday

- Coastal Flood Advisory from 3 p.m. Monday to 2 a.m.Wednesday

- Main focus is the coastal Eastern Shore adjacent to the Chesapeake Bay

- Minor flooding can be seen within an hour of hightide Monday afternoon through Tuesday Night.

- Minor tidal flooding is expected

- Flood Watch from tonight through Tuesday afternoon

- 5" to 10" of rain is expected

- Heavy rains will start tonight

Sandy is expected to make landfall sometime after midnight Monday around DelMar, New Jersey.

Kent County Public Schools will be closed Monday.