USM to Close in Anticipation of Severe Weather Wednesday
Tue, 04/09/2024 - 03:37pm
In anticipation of severe weather, all operations at The University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg and along the Gulf Coast will be closed on Wednesday, April 10.
Students should expect to hear from faculty regarding any transition to online course delivery.
The National Weather Service has placed the Hattiesburg campus in the moderate risk category (4 out of 5) for severe weather. These storms could produce damaging winds up to 80 mph, large hail and tornadoes. University locations across the Gulf Coast have been placed in the enhanced risk category (3 out of 5) with storms capable of producing winds up to 70 mph, hail and tornadoes.
For updates regarding on-campus food service, please check the Eagle Dining Facebook page.
Should severe flooding or a tornado warning impact USM locations, the Eagle Alert emergency communication system will be activated. Please take a moment to check your contact information in the Eagle Alert system.
University officials are continuing to monitor conditions and will provide updates to the University community as needed through Eagle Alert and the USM Emergency Page.
Potential Flood Zones on USM Campuses:
Local residents and visitors are asked to remain aware that these weather conditions may make some streets on the Hattiesburg campus and coastal sites impassable or hazardous to navigate.
Motorists on the Hattiesburg campus should be aware of potential flood damage to parked vehicles in these areas:
- Pine Haven Drive around Sorority Village
- Montague Boulevard between Kay James Drive and Ross Boulevard
- 10 parking spaces on the south end of Fraternity Drive (west side of the street) at Montague Boulevard
- West 4th Street between Golden Eagle Avenue and Eagle Walk
- Southern Miss Drive between 30th and 31st Avenues
- Ray Guy Way at Century Park South/Spirit Park
- South end of Kay James Drive at Montague Boulevard (next to the DuBard School)
- Trent Lott Center west lot, next to M.M. Roberts Stadium
- Ray Guy Way at Eagle Walk, by the raised crosswalk
- Parking area at the southwest corner of McCarty Hall
Motorists on the Gulf Park campus in Long Beach should be aware of potential flood damage to parked vehicles at the shared parking lot with St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church on the west side of campus, along Beach Park Place, as well as the four-way stop at Bear Point and Gulf Park drives.
Motorists at the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory in Ocean Springs should also be aware of the potential for flooding on Halstead Road near the site’s entrance.
Motorists should use caution in these areas during times of heavy rain and should not enter flooded areas.
In the event of an emergency, contact the University Police Department at 601.266.4986.