Hurricane Idalia Update: CSU pivots to online learning

The National Weather Service has issued a Tropical Storm Warning for the Charleston area. Out of an abundance of caution, Charleston Southern University will pivot to online learning on Wednesday, August 30 and Thursday, August 31.  

Students are expected to consult Blackboard for specific directions from their professor(s) related to course requirements. 

The Dining Hall will remain open for continuous service. However, all other offices and the Rivers Library will be closed to students and visitors. In accordance with the CSU Emergency Plan, essential personnel will remain on campus for student support and emergency response purposes.  

Residential students should remain indoors as weather conditions worsen and read the emergency procedures about storm shelter locations on campus. Students who decide to leave should do so before inclement weather begins. Do not attempt to travel in the storm.  

Faculty and staff will receive further communication regarding work expectations. 

Please note that CSU is not planning for evacuation. Residential students may remain on campus.  

As of now, Thursday afternoon and evening activities will remain on schedule, including CSU’s first home football game of the season against North Greenville at 6 p.m.  

Current Forecast 

Hurricane Idalia is expected to make landfall along Florida’s Gulf Coast as a Category 3 hurricane tomorrow morning, August 30. The storm is currently moving north with tropical-storm-force winds extending outward up to 160 miles from the center, according to the National Hurricane Center. Idalia is expected to move along the South Carolina coast as a tropical storm through Thursday morning.

The latest National Weather Service forecast updates (2 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 29) project peak wind between 25 and 35 mph and potentials for wind gusts between 58 to 73 miles per hour. The CSU campus lies outside of the threat for a storm surge. A Flood Watch is also in effect, with peak rainfall amounts between 3-6”. Do not attempt to drive or walk through flood waters.  

As a reminder, please continue to monitor local weather updates, CSU email, CSU social media, and the latest BucAlert announcements.  
 

Helpful Resources 

Emergency: 911 
Campus Security: 843-553-5896 or 843-863-7105 

• Turn Around, Don’t Drown – Flood Safety Information 
• How to pronounce Idalia “ee-DAL-ya” and all Atlantic tropical cyclone names 
• Hurricane season in Charleston: what you should know   
• The difference between a hurricane watch or warning  
• National Weather Service: outlook and impact on Charleston  
• CSU’s Emergency Preparedness Plan 
• CSU Security 

Last updated: Aug. 29, 2023 at 3:46 p.m.