The hurricane is the natural disaster most likely to befall our region. Notices of a hurricane are issued several hours prior to landfall by each island’s local Emergency Management Agency. This gives the Open Campus ample time for the orderly and effective securing of University buildings, equipment and other property before the actual hurricane, and for staff, not required to be on the premises, to leave and see to the welfare of their homes and families.
Hurricane information issued by the relevant Agency may be as follows:
| (a) Hurricane Bulletin | Issued when a significant weather system is detected in the area. |
| (b) Hurricane Advisory | Issued at regular intervals when a tropical storm or hurricane is first detected in the area. |
| (c) Hurricane Watch | Issued when the hurricane continues its advance and hurricane conditions are a real possibility. It does not mean that they are imminent. |
| (d) Hurricane Warning | Issued once it is established that hurricane conditions are expected within 24 hours. |
All emergency arrangements are intended to ensure the effective coordination of the use of University and community resources to protect life, preserve University property, and restore academic programmes as soon as possible after the emergency.
The Emergency operations are under the executive control of the Principal. Immediate responsibility for the coordination of the operations rests with the Campus Registrar, assisted by members of staff who graciously volunteered to assist during the emergency operations.
Contact information for all Open Campus Offices and Country Sites may be found here:
http://www.open.uwi.edu/locations
