{
  "id": "2024-09-26-clemson-university-hurricane-helene",
  "slug": "clemson-university-hurricane-helene-2024-09-26",
  "institution": {
    "name": "Clemson University",
    "shortName": "Clemson",
    "state": "SC",
    "type": "public-r1",
    "alertSystemName": "CU Alert",
    "enrollment": 28000
  },
  "incident": {
    "date": "2024-09-26",
    "endDate": "2024-09-30",
    "type": "hurricane",
    "cleryCategory": "emergency-notification",
    "resolution": "confirmed-threat",
    "headline": "Hurricane, September 26, 2024",
    "summary": "Clemson University [closed at 7:00 PM on Thursday, September 26, 2024](https://www.wspa.com/news/clemson-university-closed-for-hurricane-helene/), as Hurricane Helene bore down on the South Carolina Upstate with 8 to 10 inches of expected rainfall and wind gusts of 50 to 60 mph. The storm swept through overnight, leaving behind [downed trees, damaged property, and widespread power outages](https://thetigercu.com/22211/news/unprecedented-hurricane-helene-hits-clemson-the-upstate/) across the region. Classes were canceled through Monday.",
    "outcome": "While the main campus retained power and sustained minimal structural damage, widespread outages affected the broader Clemson area and Upstate region. Downed trees blocked multiple roads. The university was criticized for initially planning to hold a Saturday football game against Stanford despite the surrounding damage, before ultimately canceling Monday classes."
  },
  "alerts": [
    {
      "sequence": 1,
      "type": "follow-up",
      "timestamp": "2024-09-25T14:14:36-04:00",
      "channel": "twitter-x",
      "verbatimText": "Clemson University is continuing to monitor Hurricane Helene and its potential impacts on main campus and CU locations throughout the state.\n\nConsider these tips to make sure you are prepared for the impacts of the storm now.",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "sourceUrl": "https://x.com/ClemsonSafety/status/1839005600816181466",
      "sourceDescription": "@ClemsonSafety on X (verbatim)",
      "annotations": [
        "Cascade same-day official @ClemsonSafety post; fxtwitter raw_text."
      ],
      "characterCount": 225
    },
    {
      "sequence": 2,
      "type": "initial",
      "channel": "twitter-x",
      "verbatimText": "URGENT CU ALERT: Due to the impacts of Hurricane Helene, Clemson University upstate locations will close at 7 p.m. today, Sept. 26. Classes scheduled for Thursday evening will be e-Learning optional at the discretion of the instructor. Visit http://alerts.clemson.edu for more info.",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "sourceUrl": "https://x.com/ClemsonSafety/status/1839370028975841751",
      "sourceDescription": "@ClemsonSafety on X (verbatim URGENT CU ALERT Helene closure)",
      "annotations": [
        "The closure began at 7:00 PM on September 26 with evening classes made optional",
        "Hurricane Helene was expected to bring 8-10 inches of rainfall and wind gusts of 50-60 mph to campus"
      ],
      "characterCount": 282,
      "timestamp": "2024-09-26T14:22:43-04:00"
    },
    {
      "sequence": 3,
      "type": "update",
      "timestamp": "2024-09-26T18:11:58-04:00",
      "channel": "twitter-x",
      "verbatimText": "URGENT CU ALERT: Due to the impacts of Hurricane Helene, Clemson's main campus is closed Friday through noon. Visit http://alerts.clemson.edu for more info.",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "sourceUrl": "https://x.com/ClemsonSafety/status/1839427720704561514",
      "sourceDescription": "@ClemsonSafety on X (verbatim)",
      "annotations": [
        "Cascade same-day official @ClemsonSafety post; fxtwitter raw_text."
      ],
      "characterCount": 156
    },
    {
      "sequence": 4,
      "type": "update",
      "channel": "twitter-x",
      "verbatimText": "URGENT CU ALERT: Clemson University's main campus is closed and will remain closed through Friday, Sept. 27. All classes scheduled for Friday are cancelled. Visit http://alerts.clemson.edu for more info.",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "sourceDescription": "@ClemsonSafety on X (verbatim Friday Helene closure)",
      "annotations": [
        "The main campus had power and minimal damage, but the surrounding area experienced significant outages",
        "Students and residents woke to downed trees and power lines across the region"
      ],
      "characterCount": 203,
      "sourceUrl": "https://x.com/ClemsonSafety/status/1839486606031671523",
      "timestamp": "2024-09-26T22:05:57-04:00"
    },
    {
      "sequence": 5,
      "type": "initial",
      "timestamp": "2024-09-27T07:56:57-04:00",
      "channel": "twitter-x",
      "verbatimText": "URGENT CU ALERT: 911 Emergency Lines on Main Campus are currently not working. If you need emergency assistance, please call 864-656-2222.",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "sourceUrl": "https://x.com/ClemsonSafety/status/1839635337876029554",
      "sourceDescription": "@ClemsonSafety on X (verbatim)",
      "annotations": [
        "Verified complete alert text on https://x.com/ClemsonSafety/status/1839635337876029554; archiveUrl null.",
        "Official same-day cascade from @ClemsonSafety."
      ],
      "characterCount": 138,
      "archiveUrl": null,
      "confidence": "high",
      "lastUpdated": "2026-07-18"
    },
    {
      "sequence": 6,
      "type": "update",
      "timestamp": "2024-09-28T02:46:43-04:00",
      "channel": "twitter-x",
      "verbatimText": "CU ALERT: Police non-emergency phones are currently not working. If you need assistance, please call 864-656-6099. If you have an emergency, dial 911.",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "characterCount": 150,
      "sourceUrl": "https://x.com/ClemsonSafety/status/1839919650580377615",
      "sourceDescription": "@ClemsonSafety on X (verbatim)",
      "annotations": [
        "Cascade expansion from official ClemsonSafety Helene-period posts"
      ]
    },
    {
      "sequence": 7,
      "type": "update",
      "channel": "twitter-x",
      "verbatimText": "URGENT CU ALERT: Clemson University’s main campus and Upstate locations will be closed, and classes are cancelled at all statewide campuses on Monday, Sept. 30. Visit http://alerts.clemson.edu for more info.",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "sourceDescription": "@ClemsonSafety on X (verbatim Monday Helene closure)",
      "annotations": [
        "The university faced criticism for initially planning to hold the football game against Stanford on Saturday despite surrounding damage",
        "The extended closure reflected ongoing power and infrastructure issues in the surrounding community"
      ],
      "characterCount": 207,
      "sourceUrl": "https://x.com/ClemsonSafety/status/1840479247217160521",
      "timestamp": "2024-09-29T15:50:21-04:00"
    },
    {
      "sequence": 8,
      "type": "update",
      "timestamp": "2024-09-30T07:28:43-04:00",
      "channel": "twitter-x",
      "verbatimText": "URGENT CU ALERT: Police non-emergency phones are not working. If you need assistance, call 864-656-6099 or 864-656-4300. If you have an emergency, dial 911.",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "characterCount": 156,
      "sourceUrl": "https://x.com/ClemsonSafety/status/1840715392391721437",
      "sourceDescription": "@ClemsonSafety on X (verbatim)",
      "annotations": [
        "Cascade expansion from official ClemsonSafety Helene-period posts"
      ]
    },
    {
      "sequence": 9,
      "type": "resolution",
      "timestamp": "2024-09-30T17:36:54-04:00",
      "channel": "twitter-x",
      "verbatimText": "Urgent CU Alert: Clemson University’s main campus will be open on Tuesday, Oct. 1. Classes are scheduled and should be conducted at the discretion of instructors, and staff should report to work as able. Visit http://alerts.clemson.edu for more info.",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "characterCount": 250,
      "sourceUrl": "https://x.com/ClemsonSafety/status/1840868450417459440",
      "sourceDescription": "@ClemsonSafety on X (verbatim)",
      "annotations": [
        "Cascade expansion from official ClemsonSafety Helene-period posts"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "context": "Hurricane Helene struck the South Carolina Upstate on the night of September 26-27, 2024, bringing what [The Tiger student newspaper called 'unprecedented' conditions](https://thetigercu.com/22211/news/unprecedented-hurricane-helene-hits-clemson-the-upstate/) to Clemson and the surrounding area. The university [closed at 7:00 PM on September 26](https://www.wspa.com/news/clemson-university-closed-for-hurricane-helene/) ahead of the worst weather, which arrived overnight with wind gusts exceeding 50 mph and 8 to 10 inches of rainfall. While the main campus retained power and [damage was described as minimal](https://news.clemson.edu/campus-community-update-sept-27/), the broader region suffered widespread power outages and downed trees blocking roads. The university adjusted Saturday gameday operations for the football game against Stanford, delaying parking lot openings and gate times, but [faced public criticism for proceeding with the game](https://www.postandcourier.com/hurricanewire/clemson-stanford-helene-criticism-power-outages/article_b4d7d554-7e89-11ef-a276-f7f27bedfce5.html) while many surrounding residents remained without power. Classes were ultimately canceled through Monday as recovery continued.",
  "keyFindings": [
    "Main campus had power and minimal damage, but the surrounding Upstate region experienced widespread outages and destruction",
    "The university closed for approximately four days, from Thursday evening through Monday",
    "Clemson faced public criticism for holding the Saturday football game while surrounding communities lacked power",
    "The hurricane brought 8-10 inches of rain and 50-60 mph wind gusts, with some isolated hurricane-force gusts"
  ],
  "sources": [
    {
      "title": "Clemson University closed for Hurricane Helene (WSPA)",
      "url": "https://www.wspa.com/news/clemson-university-closed-for-hurricane-helene/",
      "type": "local-media"
    },
    {
      "title": "'Unprecedented': Hurricane Helene hits Clemson, the Upstate (The Tiger)",
      "url": "https://thetigercu.com/22211/news/unprecedented-hurricane-helene-hits-clemson-the-upstate/",
      "type": "student-newspaper"
    },
    {
      "title": "Campus Community Update - Sept. 27 (Clemson News)",
      "url": "https://news.clemson.edu/campus-community-update-sept-27/",
      "type": "official-archive"
    },
    {
      "title": "Clemson blasted for holding football game in aftermath of Helene (Post and Courier)",
      "url": "https://www.postandcourier.com/hurricanewire/clemson-stanford-helene-criticism-power-outages/article_b4d7d554-7e89-11ef-a276-f7f27bedfce5.html",
      "type": "local-media"
    },
    {
      "title": "@ClemsonSafety X — Helene Thursday close",
      "url": "https://x.com/ClemsonSafety/status/1839370028975841751",
      "type": "official-social"
    },
    {
      "title": "@ClemsonSafety X — Helene Friday close",
      "url": "https://x.com/ClemsonSafety/status/1839486606031671523",
      "type": "official-social"
    },
    {
      "title": "@ClemsonSafety X — Helene Monday close",
      "url": "https://x.com/ClemsonSafety/status/1840479247217160521",
      "type": "official-social"
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      "title": "@ClemsonSafety on X status 1839005600816181466",
      "url": "https://x.com/ClemsonSafety/status/1839005600816181466",
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      "title": "@ClemsonSafety on X status 1839427720704561514",
      "url": "https://x.com/ClemsonSafety/status/1839427720704561514",
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    {
      "type": "official-social",
      "title": "@ClemsonSafety X cascade 1839635337876029554",
      "url": "https://x.com/ClemsonSafety/status/1839635337876029554",
      "accessedDate": "2026-07-18"
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    {
      "title": "@ClemsonSafety 1839919650580377615",
      "url": "https://x.com/ClemsonSafety/status/1839919650580377615",
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      "title": "@ClemsonSafety 1840715392391721437",
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      "url": "https://x.com/ClemsonSafety/status/1840868450417459440",
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  ],
  "confidence": "high",
  "tags": [
    "hurricane",
    "hurricane-helene",
    "south-carolina",
    "campus-closure",
    "power-outage",
    "wind-damage",
    "multi-day-event",
    "class-cancellation"
  ],
  "dateAdded": "2026-05-03",
  "lastUpdated": "2026-07-19",
  "addedBy": "ingestion"
}