The alert levels given below are guidelines and, for the sake of consistency, are the same alert levels used at the Grice Marine Laboratory.

Pre-hurricane season preparations

1. 15 May
   1. Dorian McMillan and Jaap Hillenius assess hurricane preparation supplies and purchases necessary supplies.
      1. Supply list:
         1. Plastic sheeting (to cover computers and sensitive equipment)
         2. Duct tape (to secure seams around windows)

Level 1 Alert

There is a tropical storm or hurricane with a potential for landfall along the southeastern United States.

  1. Jaap Hillenius will notify all biology faculty and staff of the storm activity.

  2. Plans should be made for backing up computer data.

  3. Grice faculty should consult hurricane preparation document on the
      GML webpage http://www.cofc.edu/~grice/
      [follow the Handbook & Policies link in the right side menu]

  4. Plan activities associated with Levels 2, 3, and 4.

Level 2 Alert

The storm is approaching the southeastern coast of the United States with a possibility of striking South Carolina, but it is still a significant distance away.  Landfall is greater than 3 days away.

  1. Computer data backup should be completed.

  2. Downtown faculty should secure necessary plastic and duct tape from Dorian McMillan.

Level 3 Alert

A tropical storm or hurricane watch is issued for the Charleston area.  Landfall is possible within 48 hours.

1. Be prepared for leaking ceilings. All computers and sensitive electronic equipment should be covered with plastic, unplugged, placed on a table or lab bench and moved away from windows. With computers, you should unplug both the power cords AND the internet cable.
   1. Faculty members are responsible for securing his/her laboratory and equipment.
   2. Denise Branch is responsible for securing the Business Manager’s office and equipment.
   3. Debbie Robertson and Kristen Wright are responsible for securing the departmental office and equipment as well as the storage room in Wentworth Annex.
      1. Dorian McMillan will be responsible for securing the computers in the gel room (226A), the microscope room (Old Frankis Lab), 239, 218, in the computer lab (235) and shutting down the server. Computers will be covered with plastic and unplugged (both power and internet).
      2. Dorian McMillan will be responsible for the ultra-cold freezers.
         1. Faculty Please Note: the ultra-colds are on emergency power and should not shut down when the power goes off ­ however ­ in the event of a major hurricane it might be smart to have plans for the removal of irreplaceable samples to a more secure site inland. Publix Supermarkets sell dry ice.
      3. Teaching lab responsibilities ­ covering sensitive equipment, securing windows, covering and unplugging computers (both power and internet), moving sensitive equipment away from windows etc.
         1. SCIC 201 ­ Susan Morrison and Dorian McMillan
         2. SCIC 202 ­ Seth Pritchard Chris Korey
         3. SCIC 203 ­ Agnes Ayme-Southgate and Isaure DeBuron
         4. SCIC 204 ­ Reid Wiseman and Jean Everett
         5. SCIC 227 ­ Jaap Hillenius and Peyre Pringle
         6. SCIC 228 ­ Phil Dustan and Joe Bernardo
         7. SCIC 222 ­ Ana Zimmerman and Stephanie Dellis
         8. SCIC 223 ­ Duncan Munro and Beth Meyer-Bernstein
         9. Lightsey 339/340/341/342 – Brian Scholtens and John Peters
         10. Animal care and use facility ­ Garret Milliken (Psychology)

Level 4 Alert

A tropical storm or hurricane warning is issued for the Charleston area.  Storm or hurricane conditions are imminent.

  1. All preparations for securing windows, computers and sensitive equipment should be completed.  The power to all non-essential equipment (excluding freezers, refrigerators and incubators that are on emergency power) should be turned off.  All organisms should be provided with necessary conditions for survival over a period of several days without care.

Useful Information and links

The National Weather Service Tropical Prediction Center

• http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

The National Weather Service South Carolina Forecast and Forecast Discussion

• http://iwin.nws.noaa.gov/iwin/sc/sc.html

Hurricane and storm tracking

• http://hurricane.terrapin.com/

What is a Hurricane?
A hurricane is a type of tropical cyclone, which is a generic term for a low pressure system that generally forms in the tropics. The cyclone is accompanied by thunderstorms and, in the Northern Hemisphere, a counterclockwise circulation of winds near the earth's surface. Tropical cyclones are classified as follows:

Tropical Depression
An organized system of clouds and thunderstorms with a defined surface circulation and maximum sustained winds* of 38 mph (33 kt**) or less

Tropical Storm
An organized system of strong thunderstorms with a defined surface circulation and maximum sustained winds of 39-73 mph (34-63 kt)

Hurricane
An intense tropical weather system of strong thunderstorms with a well-defined surface circulation and maximum sustained winds of 74 mph (64 kt) or higher

WATCH vs. WARNING - KNOW THE DIFFERENCE

• A HURRICANE WATCH issued for your part of the coast indicates the possibility that you could experience hurricane conditions within 36 hours.
  This watch should trigger your family's disaster plan, and protective measures should be initiated, especially those actions that require extra time such as securing a boat, leaving a barrier island, etc.
• A HURRICANE WARNING issued for your part of the coast indicates that sustained winds of at least 74 mph are expected within 24 hours or less.
  Once this warning has been issued, your family should be in the process of completing protective actions and deciding the safest location to be during the storm.

The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale

• Tropical Storm
  Winds 39-73 mph
  
• Category 1 Hurricane — winds 74-95 mph (64-82 kt)
  No real damage to buildings. Damage to unanchored mobile homes. Some damage to poorly constructed signs. Also, some coastal flooding and minor pier damage.
  - Examples: Irene 1999 and Allison 1995
  
• Category 2 Hurricane — winds 96-110 mph (83-95 kt)
  Some damage to building roofs, doors and windows. Considerable damage to mobile homes. Flooding damages piers and small craft in unprotected moorings may break their moorings. Some trees blown down.
  - Examples: Bonnie 1998, Georges(FL & LA) 1998 and Gloria 1985
  
• Category 3 Hurricane — winds 111-130 mph (96-113 kt)
  Some structural damage to small residences and utility buildings. Large trees blown down. Mobile homes and poorly built signs destroyed. Flooding near the coast destroys smaller structures with larger structures damaged by floating debris. Terrain may be flooded well inland.
  - Examples: Keith 2000, Fran 1996, Opal 1995, Alicia 1983 and Betsy 1965
  
• Category 4 Hurricane — winds 131-155 mph (114-135 kt)
  More extensive curtainwall failures with some complete roof structure failure on small residences. Major erosion of beach areas. Terrain may be flooded well inland.
  - Examples: Hugo 1989 and Donna 1960
  
• Category 5 Hurricane — winds 156 mph and up (135+ kt)
  Complete roof failure on many residences and industrial buildings. Some complete building failures with small utility buildings blown over or away. Flooding causes major damage to lower floors of all structures near the shoreline. Massive evacuation of residential areas may be required.
  - Examples: Andrew(FL) 1992, Camille 1969 and Labor Day 1935