The University of Texas Medical Branch

Current Disaster Information

DISASTER PLAN FOR THE SCHOOL OF ALLIED HEALTH SCIENCES

In the event that Galveston is threatened by a hurricane or other natural disaster, the student body and faculty of The School of Allied Health Sciences will act in accord with the following rules and procedures:

 

I. The Administration of The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston is notified by the National Weather Service of impending storms or other natural disasters. In the event of a hurricane, select members of the UTMB administration go to the National Weather Service for a briefing.

 

II. On the basis of this briefing, decisions are reached relating to the following:

 

A. Category 1 - Severe Weather Warning

 

The Severe Weather Warning is primarily an advisory mechanism to alert departments and employees of the existence of adverse weather conditions. Specific individual and departmental actions will be dependent upon the severity of the weather, the expected duration, and the general hospital needs at that time. Severe weather includes the following conditions:

 

1. Gale Warnings - Winds of 38-55 mph

2. Storm Warnings - Winds of 55-74 mph

3. Ice and/or Snow Storms

4. Severe Thunderstorms

5. Tornado Warnings

6. High Water or Flooding Conditions

 

B. Category 2 - Hurricane Watch

 

The Hurricane Watch is primarily an adviso- ry mechanism to alert departments and employees of the existence of a Hurricane Watch for the Gulf Coast area and to insure the initiation of preparatory activities. It becomes effective upon notice issued by the President of his designee after the Watch status is issued by the National Weather Service. This category applies to the following conditions:

1. A hurricane may threaten within 24 hours

2. Specified area and duration of watch are added to advisory bulletins from the Nation- al Weather Service.

3. Winds in excess of 75 mph may occur

4. Rising water may occur

 

C. Category 3 - Hurricane Warning

 

The Hurricane Warning is intended to ini tialize final preparation for protection of UTMB property and emergency care of patients and for the evacuation of students and non-essential personnel. The Hurricane Warning becomes effective as soon as it is issued by the National Weather Service. All individual and departmental actions will be coordinated by the Control Center. This category applies to the following conditions:

 

1. A hurricane is expected to make landfall within 24 hours

2. A hurricane warning is forecast identifying Galveston as a coastal area where dan gerously high water and/or waves are expected

3. Winds are expected to be in excess of 74 mph

III. Dissemination of weather emergency information which results in School closure will come in this manner:

 

The Office of the President immediately informs the Office of the Dean of the School of Allied Health Sciences which alert is presently in force. The Dean, or his desig nated alternate, immediately informs each departmental chairperson, who in turn officially notifies all students of conditions and of procedures to be followed.

 

Upon official notification through channels identified above, classes will immediately adjourn and students will be directed to do the following:

 

A. All students should be encouraged to carry radios when a weather emergency is imminent, rather than call the Dean's Office. The latest school closure information can be obtained by listening to KGBC (1540 AM) radio.

 

B. Students living in the dormitories should acquire a flashlight and adequate batteries in case of power failure. Candles are provided by the Dormitories office; however, these may not be adequate. The dormitories are considered quite safe, since they are rein forced concrete. The only danger would be from window breakage due to flying debris. The University will take all precautions possible to protect the windows.

 

C. Immediately pack necessary belongings and leave Galveston at the earliest possible moment, because low-lying areas may flood well in advance of the hurricane. Travel well inland (beyond Houston) in order to insure safety; or immediately go to your place of residence in Galveston and take all possible protective measures.

 

D. In case the National Weather Service issues an evacuation order, do not delay; leave Galveston at the earliest possible moment.

 

E. It is each individual student's responsi bility to keep family members informed of his/her plans. (e.g. where you are going, phone numbers, etc.). It is crucial that each student handles this before they leave the Island.

 

THIS IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE STUDENT AND NOT OF THE SCHOOL.

 

F. Outside calls from families regarding the welfare of all students in the event of a di-saster should be directed to the Office of the Registrar, 409/772-1215. In the event of a weather emergency, all Schools should submit to the Registrar a listing of all students who are assigned off-campus (out of Galveston) during this period.

 

G. Volunteers - In the instance of a weather emergency, all students are expected and encouraged to evacuate. There will be some need for volunteer services of a non-medical nature in the hospital. All volunteer services will be coordinated by the Volunteer and External Response Team coordinator at 772-1881.

H. After the hurricane, the student is ex pected to return to the campus within 24 hours and be prepared to resume classes at 8:00 a.m. the following day. It will be important for the student to keep in touch with radio or TV for weather information and conditions in and around Galveston. Radio station KGBC (1540 AM) is the official Emergency Broadcasting Station for Galveston and the mainland. Station KTRH (740 AM) is the official Emergency Broadcasting Station for Houston.

 

Students outside the Houston/Galveston area should listen to the radio station in their location which is affiliated with the Texas State Network. In the event Galveston receives considerable damage and classes cannot be resumed within 24 hours, the student will need to remain informed of conditions via the Texas State Network and plan to return at the earliest possible mo ment. So far as it is possible, The Universi- ty of Texas Medical Branch will issue information to the radio and TV stations on when classes will begin; however, it cannot be guaranteed that the stations outside the Galveston area will broadcast such informa tion. Thus, the student will be expected to exercise his or her best judgment on when to return in case of severe conditions. Seals will be issued for the windshield of students' vehicles to identify them as members of the Galveston community and thus facilitate their return. Extra seals are available from the Office of Student Affairs.

 

I. All students in The School of Allied Health Sciences are required to follow the above stated rules and procedures.