Campus Ready for Winter Weather

As it finally starts to feel like winter and some forecasters are calling for Georgia's first flurries, the Georgia Tech Office of Emergency Preparedness is ready.

Emergency Preparedness works closely with Facilities Management to plan for seasonal weather events in advance. Facilities is prepared with ice melt, brine mixing stations, and utility vehicles that can pre-treat critical intersections, traffic areas, sidewalks, and stairs. This treatment is designed to slow the accumulation of ice and snow and make it easier to clear after accumulation has begun. Facilities also works with Parking and Transportation Services to address accessibility in parking lots and decks. The Utilities Maintenance group is prepared to work around the clock to ensure campus heating and steam systems remain operational.

The Office of Emergency Preparedness advises that all employees, especially commuters, be prepared for whatever weather comes their way. 

“Especially for commuters, it is critical that they put together a basic kit for their cars,” said William Smith, director for Emergency Preparedness. Smith says kits must include food, water, a space blanket, gloves, hats, a flashlight, and a cellphone charger. Drivers should also keep fuel tanks at least half full.

If an ice or snow event occurs, Facilities will establish a central Severe Weather Command Center to assist with communication, and dispatching services and equipment around campus. 

In the event of winter weather, the Tech community is urged to actively monitor road and traffic conditions and use good judgment in determining when they can safely travel. Employees and students with any concerns should talk with their supervisor or instructor. 

Closing Time?

In the event of inclement weather, the Institute may issue one of the following designations.

“Classes canceled” means all classes and instructional laboratories will not meet. Administrative and research activities not directly tied to instruction will generally continue as normal, unless otherwise instructed by a supervisor. Other support employees may also be instructed not to report to work.

“Campus closed” means no employees are to report to work aside from those previously designated as “emergency essential” by their department or otherwise instructed by a supervisor.

Campus opening or operations may also be delayed until a designated later time.  

Students, faculty, and staff can find out about campus closures and Tech’s weather response in several ways. In the event of a closed campus or canceled/delayed classes, an alert will be sent via the Georgia Tech Emergency Notification System (GTENS). Updates will also be shared on the Georgia Tech homepage, www.gatech.edu, as campus leadership evaluates and determines the response to each weather situation. 

Information is also shared via social media. Updates will be posted to Twitter at @gtpdalerts and @georgiatech, and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/gtemergency and www.facebook.com/georgiatech.