West Volusia News

Stetson University released the following statement concerning Hurricane Ian and procedures at this time:

Hurricane Ian is expected to be downgraded to a Category 1 hurricane or a tropical storm by the time it moves through Volusia County. 

• The storm already is beginning to impact our area and is expected to intensify this evening through late Thursday afternoon before leaving the area.
• Significant wind and rain are forecast, and flooding can be expected in the DeLand area.
• For the latest information about the storm, please check the National Hurricane Center.

Most Stetson students have left the DeLand campus to return home or seek shelter with friends and family elsewhere. Currently, 327 students remain on campus in the residence halls, including international students and out-of-state students who were unable to return home. In addition, 22 Resident Assistants (RAs) are staying with them in the residence halls. Students are being told to stay in place and remain inside their residence halls from this evening until Hurricane Ian passes through the area late Thursday.

Given the forecast, Stetson Dining:

• Will provide dinner service in the Lynn Dining Commons this evening from 5-6:15 p.m. Dinner will be served in to-go containers, allowing students to pick up a meal and return to their residence hall.
• Will distribute three boxed meals to students for Thursday as the Commons will be closed due to the storm.
• Will provide meals to every student on campus, regardless of whether they have a meal plan or not.

Stetson's Office of Public Safety has relocated to Room 429 of the Lynn Business Center, which has a generator in case the power goes out. Public Safety can be reached 24/7 by phone at 386-822-7300.

If there is a Power Outage:

In the event that the residence halls lose power for an extended period, Stetson administrators and Public Safety will determine after the storm passes if it is safe to reopen our two large buildings on the DeLand campus with generators, the Carlton Union Building and the Lynn Business Center, which would have electricity, air-conditioning and Wi-Fi. For halls without power, students should plan to take what they need with them to these locations, including medications, a pillow and blanket, as access to return to the residence halls may be reduced. Students will receive an all-clear text message if and when such a move becomes available.  

Local Curfew / Shelters

Volusia County has imposed a curfew from 8 p.m. tonight to 7 a.m. Thursday, and again from 8 p.m. Thursday until 7 a.m. Friday. The county also has opened four shelters, which all accept pets. Those staying at a shelter with their pets must bring necessary pet items and supplies.

Athletics Scheduling

The playing of scheduled contests on the DeLand Campus will be addressed following the departure of the storm, estimated to be Friday morning. Events off campus, men's soccer at Liberty and women's cross country at Lehigh, will go ahead as scheduled as both teams have already departed for those events.

Original source can be found here.