The 2024 hurricane season began on June 1 and will continue through November 30. Students, faculty and staff should prepare now in the event a hurricane threatens The University of Southern Mississippi’s campuses, teaching and research sites.
- Download the 2023 Disaster Guide provided by the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA).
Institutional Protocols
You should also be aware of the following institutional protocols that will be in effect for the entire hurricane season.
- If a tropical weather system emerges, University officials will monitor weather closely to determine if a school closure or cancellation of classes is warranted.
- If a hurricane or other significant weather system is expected to impact the University, advance information will be distributed through University email accounts, and relevant emergency advisories will be shared through the Eagle Alert emergency notification system.
- If a major hurricane is predicted to threaten the University, all USM locations will be evacuated for your safety, as well as the safety of local emergency responders. If these extreme circumstances occur:
- USM will provide as much notice as possible, with the goal of initiating evacuation procedures at least 48 hours prior to landfall.
- You will be required to evacuate USM campuses, teaching and research sites until the threat has passed or the University has completed its initial recovery.
- Students who live in USM residence halls will be asked to notify their resident assistants of their evacuation plans before they leave campus.
- Assistance may be provided for international students and others who need help identifying temporary housing in locations away from the storm.
If you would need assistance prior to the University closing for such an emergency, please contact the
Office of the Dean of Students at 601-266-6028.
Hurricane Preparedness: What You Should Do Now
MEMA recommends four steps to individual hurricane preparedness:
- Know Where to Go
- Put Together a Disaster Supply Kit
- Set Up Emergency Alerts
- Establish a Communication Plan with Family and Friends
For more information on hurricanes, visit the
Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) website and learn more about
MEMA Hurricane Preparedness.
Students, faculty and staff should also consider the following actions:
- Check now to make sure your contact information is up-to-date in the University’s Eagle Alert system: https://www.usm.edu/police/eagle-alert.php.
- Monitor emergency communication channels outlined below.
- Comply with preparedness and emergency safety advisories issued by University officials or other local or state agencies.
- Back up electronic files on portable drives or, for University-owned computers, through Eagle Backup.
- If the University closes, take valuable personal property with you as you leave campus.
Emergency Communication Channels
Eagle Alert is the official emergency communication channel for the University. Faculty, staff and students are required to receive alerts via email. You may also receive alerts via phone call and/or text message. Additional phone numbers can be added into the system under your record, including parent or family member phone numbers.
Update and customize your notifications within Eagle Alert to
Stay Connected!
All official USM emergency messages are posted on the Emergency Status website (
emergency.usm.edu). Related information may also be communicated through University accounts on Facebook and Twitter, media outlets and emergency notifications at
usm.edu.
