August 28, 2021
7 p.m.
Dear Tulane Community:
The projected path for Hurricane Ida has shifted east this evening bringing its expected landfall closer to New Orleans. This change means that New Orleans is expected to begin experiencing sustained hurricane force winds of 70-85 mph with gusts between 95-100 mph and rainfall between 8 to 12 inches beginning tomorrow (Sunday) at 9 a.m. through Monday morning. Ida is also expected to cause extended power outages as well as downed trees and possible structural damage.
We have completed our storm preparations, secured our community and facilities, including all construction sites, for Ida. The tower crane at the construction site off of McAlister Way is designed to withstand sustained winds of 140 mph, far above what we are expecting. However, in an overabundance of caution, we will be moving the remaining students in Irby, Phelps, Paterson and Wall residence halls to The Commons/LBC complex for the duration of the storm. The students will have access to the food at The Commons. This relocation of students will take place from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. tomorrow morning, ahead of the storm. Students in these residence halls will be notified of this move by Housing and Residence Life staff. Students should bring any medications with them, along with electronic chargers, pillows and blankets and expect to stay until the storm passes.
We have also distributed three days’ worth of food to students and secured back-up emergency power to residence halls and other essential university buildings. Off-campus students are urged to complete their personal hurricane preparations, including securing batteries, water and non-perishable food to last several days. Everyone should be indoors by tomorrow and remain inside until the storm passes. It is not suggested that anyone attempt to evacuate the city at this time.
For more information on personal storm preparations, please visit emergencyprep.tulane.edu/hurricanes. Also continue to monitor your email for daily updates from Tulane, which will also be posted at tulane.edu/emergency. For any questions, contact our Call Center at 504-865-5000. In addition, you can continue to stay updated with Nola Ready emergency alerts at ready.nola.gov/alerts.
This shift, which has surprised forecasters, underscores the importance of making storm preparations and closely following updates. We will be walking the campus this evening, as well as tomorrow morning, to visit students and assure them that we are taking all necessary steps to keep them safe.
Michael A. Fitts, President
Robin Forman, Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost
Patrick Norton, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
