Category I Hurricane Sandy, seasonally dubbed the "Frankenstorm," has made its mark on Tufts' campus with widespread tree damage and some power outages.
University officials announced by email Saturday afternoon important steps to prepare for potential effects of the hurricane currently heading up the coast. The university on Sunday night officially announced a closure of all Tufts campuses for Monday.
Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick on Saturday declared a State of Emergency for the entire Commonwealth of Massachusetts and on Sunday asked that all schools and colleges in Massachusetts close.
Boston Mayor Thomas Menino closed Boston Public Schools for Monday, and many other universities in the region have cancelled classes in anticipation of the storm, including Boston University, Boston College, Harvard University, Salem State University, Bunker Hill Community College and University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth.
The Tufts Office of Undergraduate Admissions yesterday announced that they would be accepting Early Decision 1 applications past the original Nov. 1 deadline due to the impact of Hurricane Sandy. The deadline has been extended until Nov. 7 for students affected by the storm.
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority shut down all bus, subway and commuter rail service yesterday at around 2 p.m. The closure was announced at 10 a.m. yesterday morning.
Additionally, as of yesterday afternoon, more than 170,000 electricity customers in Massachusetts were without power.
Large pieces of metal were reported flying around the Medford/Somerville campus. Several trees also fell on campus and in the surrounding area, including one outside Hillsides Apartments.
Tufts Facilities Services Department and the Department of Public and Environmental Safety have put in place personnel and equipment and have been actively working throughout the storm.
University emergency guidelines recommend ensuring that flashlights, laptops and cell phones are fully charged. Emergency supplies, such as drinking water, food, medications and batteries, should be replenished.
University guidelines suggest monitoring storm developments from university and media sources, as well as remaining inside and away from glass windows and doors for the duration of the storm. Intentionally standing under large, heavy objects for extended periods of time should be avoided.
According to guidelines, improved weather conditions do not indicate that the storm is over, as it could simply be a momentary abatement. Precautions should be followed throughout the storm's duration.
Due to its unusually late arrival in hurricane season, the "Frankenstorm" combines elements of both a hurricane and a winter storm and is predicted to affect approximately 60 million people ranging from the Midwest to southern Canada.
In the event of any more disruptions to university functioning, announcements will be sent via email and will be available on the university website and by calling 617-627-INFO (4636), according to the previous email announcement.
The Daily's blog, Jumbo Slice, will be posting updates about Hurricane Sandy at blogs.tuftsdaily.com.
