{
  "id": "2017-09-07-university-of-florida-hurricane-irma",
  "slug": "university-of-florida-hurricane-irma-2017-09-07",
  "institution": {
    "name": "University of Florida",
    "shortName": "UF",
    "state": "FL",
    "type": "public-r1",
    "alertSystemName": "UF Alert",
    "enrollment": 52400
  },
  "incident": {
    "date": "2017-09-07",
    "endDate": "2017-09-13",
    "type": "hurricane",
    "cleryCategory": "emergency-notification",
    "resolution": "confirmed-threat",
    "headline": "A single hurricane response makes up nearly 38 percent of a year's emergency alerts",
    "headlinePublic": "A single hurricane response makes up nearly 38 percent of a year's emergency alerts",
    "summary": "Beginning Thursday, September 7, 2017, the [University of Florida](https://news.ufl.edu/articles/2017/09/university-of-florida-announces-closures-sunday-and-monday-due-to-threat-of-hurricane-irma.html) issued the first of a multi-day cascade of UF Alerts as [Hurricane Irma](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Irma) (at the time the strongest Atlantic hurricane ever recorded outside the Caribbean and Gulf) approached Florida. UF closed its Gainesville campus Sunday, September 10 through Wednesday, September 13. According to the [UF Alert 2017 After-Action Report](https://ufalert.ufl.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/UF-Alert_AAR_2017.pdf), Irma accounted for 17 of 38 incidents and 27 of 72 messages issued through the UF Alert system in 2017, nearly 38 percent of the entire year's alert volume."
  },
  "alerts": [
    {
      "sequence": 1,
      "type": "initial",
      "channel": "sms",
      "timestamp": "2017-09-06T16:43:00-04:00",
      "verbatimText": "Lake Nona RAC will cancel classes starting Thursday, 9/7 through the weekend and Monday, 9/11. (1 of 2)",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "sourceUrl": "https://web.archive.org/web/20220331140902/https://ufalert.ufl.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/UF-Alert_AAR_2017.pdf",
      "sourceDescription": "UF Alert AAR 2017 Attachment 1 (Wayback) — UF Alert-Lake Nona Wednesday, September 6th, 2017, 4:43PM",
      "characterCount": 103,
      "annotations": [
        "Recovered from UF AAR Attachment 1; UF Alert-Lake Nona; Wednesday, September 6th, 2017, 4:43PM"
      ]
    },
    {
      "sequence": 2,
      "type": "update",
      "channel": "sms",
      "timestamp": "2017-09-06T16:43:00-04:00",
      "verbatimText": "UF Alert: Lake Nona RAC will close for all faculty and staff on Friday, 9/8 through the weekend and Monday, 9/11. (2 of 2)",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "sourceUrl": "https://web.archive.org/web/20220331140902/https://ufalert.ufl.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/UF-Alert_AAR_2017.pdf",
      "sourceDescription": "UF Alert AAR 2017 Attachment 1 (Wayback) — UF Alert-Lake Nona Wednesday, September 6th, 2017, 4:43PM",
      "characterCount": 122,
      "annotations": [
        "Recovered from UF AAR Attachment 1; UF Alert-Lake Nona; Wednesday, September 6th, 2017, 4:43PM"
      ]
    },
    {
      "sequence": 3,
      "type": "update",
      "channel": "sms",
      "timestamp": "2017-09-07T10:52:00-04:00",
      "verbatimText": "University of Florida’s main campus in Gainesville will be closed on Sunday and Monday. More info at www.ufl.edu.",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "sourceUrl": "https://web.archive.org/web/20220331140902/https://ufalert.ufl.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/UF-Alert_AAR_2017.pdf",
      "sourceDescription": "UF Alert AAR 2017 Attachment 1 (Wayback) — UF Alert-Systemwide Thursday, September 7th, 2017, 10:52AM",
      "characterCount": 113,
      "annotations": [
        "Recovered from UF AAR Attachment 1; UF Alert-Systemwide; Thursday, September 7th, 2017, 10:52AM"
      ]
    },
    {
      "sequence": 4,
      "type": "update",
      "channel": "sms",
      "timestamp": "2017-09-07T15:44:00-04:00",
      "verbatimText": "Power out in South tower, on back up power, facilities working on resolution",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "sourceUrl": "https://web.archive.org/web/20220331140902/https://ufalert.ufl.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/UF-Alert_AAR_2017.pdf",
      "sourceDescription": "UF Alert AAR 2017 Attachment 1 (Wayback) — UF Alert-Shands Thursday, September 7th, 2017, 3:44PM",
      "characterCount": 76,
      "annotations": [
        "Recovered from UF AAR Attachment 1; UF Alert-Shands; Thursday, September 7th, 2017, 3:44PM"
      ]
    },
    {
      "sequence": 5,
      "type": "update",
      "channel": "sms",
      "timestamp": "2017-09-07T15:52:00-04:00",
      "verbatimText": "Command Center is now open",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "sourceUrl": "https://web.archive.org/web/20220331140902/https://ufalert.ufl.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/UF-Alert_AAR_2017.pdf",
      "sourceDescription": "UF Alert AAR 2017 Attachment 1 (Wayback) — UF Alert-Shands Thursday, September 7th, 2017, 3:52PM",
      "characterCount": 26,
      "annotations": [
        "Recovered from UF AAR Attachment 1; UF Alert-Shands; Thursday, September 7th, 2017, 3:52PM"
      ]
    },
    {
      "sequence": 6,
      "type": "update",
      "channel": "sms",
      "timestamp": "2017-09-07T16:52:00-04:00",
      "verbatimText": "Power restored to South Tower, Returned to normal operation, command center closed.",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "sourceUrl": "https://web.archive.org/web/20220331140902/https://ufalert.ufl.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/UF-Alert_AAR_2017.pdf",
      "sourceDescription": "UF Alert AAR 2017 Attachment 1 (Wayback) — UF Alert-Shands Thursday, September 7th, 2017, 4:52PM",
      "characterCount": 83,
      "annotations": [
        "Recovered from UF AAR Attachment 1; UF Alert-Shands; Thursday, September 7th, 2017, 4:52PM"
      ]
    },
    {
      "sequence": 7,
      "type": "update",
      "channel": "sms",
      "timestamp": "2017-09-07T21:50:00-04:00",
      "verbatimText": "Per Gov. Scott’s order, UF is closed Friday. Essential staff should report for work. Go to www.ufl.edu for more info.",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "sourceUrl": "https://web.archive.org/web/20220331140902/https://ufalert.ufl.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/UF-Alert_AAR_2017.pdf",
      "sourceDescription": "UF Alert AAR 2017 Attachment 1 (Wayback) — UF Alert-Systemwide Thursday, September 7th, 2017, 9:50PM",
      "characterCount": 117,
      "annotations": [
        "Recovered from UF AAR Attachment 1; UF Alert-Systemwide; Thursday, September 7th, 2017, 9:50PM"
      ]
    },
    {
      "sequence": 8,
      "type": "update",
      "channel": "email",
      "timestamp": "2017-09-07T22:09:00-04:00",
      "verbatimText": "In an emergency order, Gov. Rick Scott has directed that all public universities, colleges and K-12 schools close Friday in preparation for Hurricane Irma. No classes at the University of Florida will be held Friday through Monday. Safety and security is one of our highest priorities. Students are encouraged to make appropriate preparations for the pending storm in consultation with their families. Keep in mind current traffic conditions in your decision-making. Residence halls will remain open and some student services. Most employees should stay home but we understand that some will need to come in to close out work that needs to be completed before the storm. As a result, every employee should check with their supervisor about whether they should report to work. All physical plant staff are expected to report at their normal hour. All Residence and Housing staff are expected to report at their normal hour. Because patients will arrive for scheduled appointments, employees of the College of Medicine and UF Health Shands Hospital, and employees of the College of Veterinary Medicine and UF Veterinary Hospitals, should report to work at their regular time. Importantly, university payroll will be approved centrally. Supervisors will not need to approve time as a result. Check floridagators.com for any athletic event schedule changes. Additional details will be forthcoming.",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "sourceUrl": "https://web.archive.org/web/20220331140902/https://ufalert.ufl.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/UF-Alert_AAR_2017.pdf",
      "sourceDescription": "UF Alert AAR 2017 Attachment 1 (Wayback) — UF Alert-Systemwide Thursday, September 7th, 2017, 10:09PM",
      "characterCount": 1393,
      "annotations": [
        "Recovered from UF AAR Attachment 1; UF Alert-Systemwide; Thursday, September 7th, 2017, 10:09PM"
      ]
    },
    {
      "sequence": 9,
      "type": "update",
      "channel": "sms",
      "timestamp": "2017-09-09T11:26:00-04:00",
      "verbatimText": "Due to Hurricane Irma, UF Gainesville will close Tuesday. Check www.ufl.edu for more info.",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "sourceUrl": "https://web.archive.org/web/20220331140902/https://ufalert.ufl.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/UF-Alert_AAR_2017.pdf",
      "sourceDescription": "UF Alert AAR 2017 Attachment 1 (Wayback) — UF Alert-Systemwide Saturday, September 9th, 2017, 11:26AM",
      "characterCount": 90,
      "annotations": [
        "Recovered from UF AAR Attachment 1; UF Alert-Systemwide; Saturday, September 9th, 2017, 11:26AM"
      ]
    },
    {
      "sequence": 10,
      "type": "update",
      "channel": "email",
      "timestamp": "2017-09-09T11:28:00-04:00",
      "verbatimText": "Due to the current forecast of Hurricane Irma, the University of Florida’s main campus in Gainesville will be closed on Tuesday, Sept. 12. We previously announced the university would be closed on Sunday, Sept. 10, and Monday, Sept. 11. No classes at the University of Florida will be held on any of those days through Tuesday. Only essential university personnel should report for work, although additional personnel may be asked to come in on Tuesday to assess damage and prepare for opening. All employees should check with their supervisor on Tuesday. UF is currently scheduled to reopen and resume classes and normal operations on Wednesday, Sept. 13. We will continue to evaluate campus and community conditions, providing any scheduling updates as needed. For example, the university will consider reopening the J. Wayne Reitz Union when it is safe to do so. The official site for university hurricane information is the UF home page. We ask UF Health clinical and core service personnel to check with their supervisors as to whether they should report to work and provide support to the academic health center for emergency operations. UF/IFAS personnel outside Gainesville should adhere to their county government guidelines on closing. Personnel in other UF programs outside of Gainesville should consult their supervisors. Supervisors, please ensure that all employees, including OPS, are informed of this closure. Notices of any scheduling changes can be found on the UF home page or on the information line at 866-UF-FACTS or 866-833-2287. As always, students and employees in need of immediate assistance should dial 911. Students may also contact U Matter We Care at umatter@ufl.edu or by calling (352) 294-CARE (2273). Employees may call the Employee Assistance Program at (352) 392-5787.",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "sourceUrl": "https://web.archive.org/web/20220331140902/https://ufalert.ufl.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/UF-Alert_AAR_2017.pdf",
      "sourceDescription": "UF Alert AAR 2017 Attachment 1 (Wayback) — UF Alert-Systemwide Saturday, September 9th, 11:28AM",
      "characterCount": 1804,
      "annotations": [
        "Recovered from UF AAR Attachment 1; UF Alert-Systemwide; Saturday, September 9th, 11:28AM"
      ]
    },
    {
      "sequence": 11,
      "type": "update",
      "channel": "sms",
      "timestamp": "2017-09-09T11:37:00-04:00",
      "verbatimText": "Hurricane Warning from 9/9/2017 11:19 AM EDT until further notice has been issued for Gainesville. Details at http://ufl.to/wx",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "sourceUrl": "https://web.archive.org/web/20220331140902/https://ufalert.ufl.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/UF-Alert_AAR_2017.pdf",
      "sourceDescription": "UF Alert AAR 2017 Attachment 1 (Wayback) — UF Alert-Gainesville Saturday, September 9th, 11:37AM",
      "characterCount": 126,
      "annotations": [
        "Recovered from UF AAR Attachment 1; UF Alert-Gainesville; Saturday, September 9th, 11:37AM"
      ]
    },
    {
      "sequence": 12,
      "type": "update",
      "channel": "email",
      "timestamp": "2017-09-09T12:04:00-04:00",
      "verbatimText": "Due to possible Hurricane Irma impacts, the University of Florida’s main campus in Gainesville will be closed through Tuesday, September 12. Official updates will be posted on http://www.ufl.edu. The University of Florida will be opening an additional emergency shelter inside of the Southwest Recreation Center (Building 0316), for members of the UF community and the general population. The address is 3150 Hull Road, Gainesville, FL 32611. These shelters will be opened on a first-come, first-served basis on Sunday, September 10, at 10 a.m. We will open the Southwest Recreation Center earlier if needed and announce any changes in the opening time. Most members of UF’s community will shelter in their residence or home and/or with family and friends. People who should consider going to this emergency shelter may live in manufactured housing and/or within flood-prone areas. Students who live in residence halls should remain in their halls and follow housing staff instructions. The emergency shelters will remain open until the tropical storm force winds from Hurricane Irma subside and close when outside conditions are deemed safe by public safety officials. Additional shelters could be opened depending on demand. The emergency shelter will be located in Southwest Recreation Center. Enter the shelter from the northeast entrance inside the protective wind screen. Nearby parking may be available in parking lots along Hull Road. Campus parking restrictions are waived through Tuesday. Entrance to the Steinbrenner shelter will require an active UF affiliation and Gator1 ID. Non-affiliated people must be accompanied by a sponsoring individual with a valid Gator1 ID at all times. Please be advised: •       No pets or comfort animals will be allowed into the shelter, only ADA service animals are permitted. Alachua County offers two pet-friendly shelters. •       Each individual will be allocated 20 square feet of personal space. •       Please provide your own bedding (i.e. pillows, blankets, sheets, air mattresses etc.). •       Basic food options will be provided. If you have dietary restrictions, please bring your own food. •       Don’t forget your chargers for electronic devices, and head phones/ear buds for video and audio use. •       Please bring your own medicines and/or medical supplies. •       No re-entry will be allowed after exiting the shelter. A representative from the Counseling and Wellness Center and the Student Health Care Center will be available at the emergency shelter. UF Police Department will provide security. Classes are expected to resume on Wednesday, September 13. Other scheduling updates and storm information will be posted regularly on UF’s home page, http://www.ufl.edu. For immediate life-safety concerns dial 9-1-1. This is an automated UF Alert system message. This email account is not actively monitored for replies. – UF students, faculty and staff can update their contact information or subscription preferences at http://ufl.to/editufalert. – UF Health staff can update their contact information and subscription preferences at http://ufl.to/editufalertshands. – Learn more about UF Alert, including FAQs at http://ufalert.ufl.edu/ . – Download the GatorSafe app on your mobile device at http://ufl.to/gatorsafe. Non-Emergency Contact Numbers: – UF Police Department: (352) 392-1111 (UF Alert – Gainesville) – UF Health Shands Hospital Contact Center: (352) 265-0111 (UF Alert – Shands)",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "sourceUrl": "https://web.archive.org/web/20220331140902/https://ufalert.ufl.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/UF-Alert_AAR_2017.pdf",
      "sourceDescription": "UF Alert AAR 2017 Attachment 1 (Wayback) — UF Alert-Systemwide Saturday, September 9th, 2017, 12:04PM",
      "characterCount": 3461,
      "annotations": [
        "Recovered from UF AAR Attachment 1; UF Alert-Systemwide; Saturday, September 9th, 2017, 12:04PM"
      ]
    },
    {
      "sequence": 13,
      "type": "update",
      "channel": "sms",
      "timestamp": "2017-09-09T13:42:00-04:00",
      "verbatimText": "In anticipation of Hurricane Irma's impact, the Lake Nona RAC will remain closed through the weekend and on Tuesday, Sept. 12.",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "sourceUrl": "https://web.archive.org/web/20220331140902/https://ufalert.ufl.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/UF-Alert_AAR_2017.pdf",
      "sourceDescription": "UF Alert AAR 2017 Attachment 1 (Wayback) — UF Alert-Lake Nona Saturday, September 9th, 2017, 1:42PM",
      "characterCount": 126,
      "annotations": [
        "Recovered from UF AAR Attachment 1; UF Alert-Lake Nona; Saturday, September 9th, 2017, 1:42PM"
      ]
    },
    {
      "sequence": 14,
      "type": "update",
      "channel": "sms",
      "timestamp": "2017-09-09T19:11:00-04:00",
      "verbatimText": "For updated storm information and directions, please check your email. Shands Command center will open Sunday @ 11am.",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "sourceUrl": "https://web.archive.org/web/20220331140902/https://ufalert.ufl.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/UF-Alert_AAR_2017.pdf",
      "sourceDescription": "UF Alert AAR 2017 Attachment 1 (Wayback) — UF Alert-Shands Saturday, September 9th, 2017, 7:11PM",
      "characterCount": 117,
      "annotations": [
        "Recovered from UF AAR Attachment 1; UF Alert-Shands; Saturday, September 9th, 2017, 7:11PM"
      ]
    },
    {
      "sequence": 15,
      "type": "update",
      "channel": "sms",
      "timestamp": "2017-09-10T10:05:00-04:00",
      "verbatimText": "Shelter at Steinbrenner Band Hall full - If needed, please use the shelter at Southwest Rec Center (NW side entrance)",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "sourceUrl": "https://web.archive.org/web/20220331140902/https://ufalert.ufl.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/UF-Alert_AAR_2017.pdf",
      "sourceDescription": "UF Alert AAR 2017 Attachment 1 (Wayback) — UF Alert-Systemwide Sunday, September 10th, 2017, 10:05AM",
      "characterCount": 117,
      "annotations": [
        "Recovered from UF AAR Attachment 1; UF Alert-Systemwide; Sunday, September 10th, 2017, 10:05AM"
      ]
    },
    {
      "sequence": 16,
      "type": "update",
      "channel": "sms",
      "timestamp": "2017-09-10T10:28:00-04:00",
      "verbatimText": "Shelter at Steinbrenner Band Hall full - If needed, please use the shelter at Southwest Rec Center (correction- NE side entrance)",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "sourceUrl": "https://web.archive.org/web/20220331140902/https://ufalert.ufl.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/UF-Alert_AAR_2017.pdf",
      "sourceDescription": "UF Alert AAR 2017 Attachment 1 (Wayback) — UF Alert-Systemwide Sunday, September 10th, 2017, 10:28AM",
      "characterCount": 129,
      "annotations": [
        "Recovered from UF AAR Attachment 1; UF Alert-Systemwide; Sunday, September 10th, 2017, 10:28AM"
      ]
    },
    {
      "sequence": 17,
      "type": "update",
      "channel": "sms",
      "timestamp": "2017-09-10T11:02:00-04:00",
      "verbatimText": "Shands command center is now open for hurricane Irma.",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "sourceUrl": "https://web.archive.org/web/20220331140902/https://ufalert.ufl.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/UF-Alert_AAR_2017.pdf",
      "sourceDescription": "UF Alert AAR 2017 Attachment 1 (Wayback) — UF Alert-Shands Sunday, September 10th, 2017, 11:02AM",
      "characterCount": 53,
      "annotations": [
        "Recovered from UF AAR Attachment 1; UF Alert-Shands; Sunday, September 10th, 2017, 11:02AM"
      ]
    },
    {
      "sequence": 18,
      "type": "update",
      "channel": "email",
      "timestamp": "2017-09-10T11:08:00-04:00",
      "verbatimText": "With the emergency shelter at the Steinbrenner Band Hall full, there is an additional emergency shelter inside of the Southwest Recreation Center (Building 0316), for members of the UF community and the general population. The address is 3150 Hull Road, Gainesville, FL 32611. Most members of UF’s community will shelter in their residence or home and/or with family and friends. People who should consider going to this emergency shelter may live in manufactured housing and/or within flood-prone areas. Students who live in residence halls should remain in their halls and follow housing staff instructions. The emergency shelters will remain open until the tropical storm force winds from Hurricane Irma subside and close when outside conditions are deemed safe by public safety officials. Additional shelters could be opened depending on demand. The emergency shelter is located in Southwest Recreation Center. Enter the shelter from the northeast entrance inside the protective wind screen. Nearby parking may be available in parking lots along Hull Road. Campus parking restrictions are waived through Tuesday. Please be advised: •       No pets or comfort animals will be allowed into the shelter, only ADA service animals are permitted. Alachua County offers two pet-friendly shelters. •       Each individual will be allocated 20 square feet of personal space. •       Please provide your own bedding (i.e. pillows, blankets, sheets, air mattresses etc.). •       Basic food options will be provided. If you have dietary restrictions, please bring your own food. •       Don't forget your chargers for electronic devices, and head phones/ear buds for video and audio use. •       Please bring your own medicines and/or medical supplies. •       No re-entry will be allowed after exiting the shelter. A representative from the Counseling and Wellness Center and the Student Health Care Center will be available at the emergency shelter. UF Police Department will provide security.",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "sourceUrl": "https://web.archive.org/web/20220331140902/https://ufalert.ufl.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/UF-Alert_AAR_2017.pdf",
      "sourceDescription": "UF Alert AAR 2017 Attachment 1 (Wayback) — UF Alert-Gainesville Sunday, September 10th, 2017, 11:08AM",
      "characterCount": 1988,
      "annotations": [
        "Recovered from UF AAR Attachment 1; UF Alert-Gainesville; Sunday, September 10th, 2017, 11:08AM"
      ]
    },
    {
      "sequence": 19,
      "type": "update",
      "channel": "email",
      "timestamp": "2017-09-10T12:45:00-04:00",
      "verbatimText": "The University of Florida is currently scheduled to reopen and resume normal operations on Wednesday, Sept. 13. However, due to the current forecast of Hurricane Irma, classes at UF will not be held through Wednesday. We will continue to evaluate campus and community conditions, providing any scheduling updates as needed. After the storm passes, we will be providing more information for those who have particular hardships and challenges. As announced, the university will be closed through Tuesday, Sept. 12. Essential personnel should report to work on Monday and Tuesday as scheduled. Although there are no classes on Wednesday, all employees are expected to return to work Wednesday. Employees unable to return to work because of a storm-related hardship should notify their supervisor. UF/IFAS personnel outside Gainesville should adhere to their county government guidelines on closing. Personnel in other UF programs outside of Gainesville should consult their supervisors. Supervisors, please ensure that all employees, including OPS, are informed of this closure. Clinical faculty and staff in the UF Health Science Center colleges and clinical practices will receive direct communication from their college and supervisors concerning their assignments for Wednesday Sept. 13. UF Health Shands Hospital remains open; as such, all UF Health Gainesville campus parking areas — including faculty/staff and patient/visitor garages and lots on the UF Health campus and Archer Road — are reserved for use by faculty and staff who will be working during Hurricane Irma. If students, faculty or staff are parked here and are not part of emergency response efforts, please be aware the vehicles that do not have faculty/staff parking decals will be towed. These spaces need to be accessible to essential UF Health personnel who are working Sunday, Monday and Tuesday in response to Hurricane Irma. Notices of any scheduling changes can be found on the UF home page or on the information line at 1-866-UF-FACTS or 1-866-833-2287. As always, students and employees in need of immediate assistance should dial 911. Students may also contact U Matter We Care at umatter@ufl.edu or by calling (352) 294-CARE (2273). Employees may call the Employee Assistance Program at (352) 392-5787.",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "sourceUrl": "https://web.archive.org/web/20220331140902/https://ufalert.ufl.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/UF-Alert_AAR_2017.pdf",
      "sourceDescription": "UF Alert AAR 2017 Attachment 1 (Wayback) — UF Alert-Systemwide Sunday, September 10th, 2017, 12:45PM",
      "characterCount": 2283,
      "annotations": [
        "Recovered from UF AAR Attachment 1; UF Alert-Systemwide; Sunday, September 10th, 2017, 12:45PM"
      ]
    },
    {
      "sequence": 20,
      "type": "update",
      "channel": "sms",
      "timestamp": "2017-09-10T18:42:00-04:00",
      "verbatimText": "Tornado Warning – Lake Nona Orlando. Move to interior area away from windows, doors, outside walls. Details http://ufl.to/lnwx",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "sourceUrl": "https://web.archive.org/web/20220331140902/https://ufalert.ufl.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/UF-Alert_AAR_2017.pdf",
      "sourceDescription": "UF Alert AAR 2017 Attachment 1 (Wayback) — UF Alert-Lake Nona Sunday, September 10th, 2017, 6:42PM",
      "characterCount": 126,
      "annotations": [
        "Recovered from UF AAR Attachment 1; UF Alert-Lake Nona; Sunday, September 10th, 2017, 6:42PM"
      ]
    },
    {
      "sequence": 21,
      "type": "update",
      "channel": "sms",
      "timestamp": "2017-09-11T04:07:00-04:00",
      "verbatimText": "update: IT and phone system could experience outages. Print out MARS. Cells phones and red phones could be used if possible. No specific time for outage.",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "sourceUrl": "https://web.archive.org/web/20220331140902/https://ufalert.ufl.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/UF-Alert_AAR_2017.pdf",
      "sourceDescription": "UF Alert AAR 2017 Attachment 1 (Wayback) — UF Alert-Shands Monday, September 11th, 2017, 4:07AM",
      "characterCount": 153,
      "annotations": [
        "Recovered from UF AAR Attachment 1; UF Alert-Shands; Monday, September 11th, 2017, 4:07AM"
      ]
    },
    {
      "sequence": 22,
      "type": "update",
      "channel": "sms",
      "timestamp": "2017-09-11T08:09:00-04:00",
      "verbatimText": "Storm winds still dangerous. Avoid travel. Many roads blocked by trees, flooded and unsafe.",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "sourceUrl": "https://web.archive.org/web/20220331140902/https://ufalert.ufl.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/UF-Alert_AAR_2017.pdf",
      "sourceDescription": "UF Alert AAR 2017 Attachment 1 (Wayback) — UF Alert-Gainesville Monday, September 11th, 2017, 8:09AM",
      "characterCount": 91,
      "annotations": [
        "Recovered from UF AAR Attachment 1; UF Alert-Gainesville; Monday, September 11th, 2017, 8:09AM"
      ]
    },
    {
      "sequence": 23,
      "type": "update",
      "channel": "email",
      "timestamp": "2017-09-11T11:07:00-04:00",
      "verbatimText": "University of Florida officials continue to assess damages on campus. Local law enforcement and other first responders report most major roads are impassable across the county from downed trees, and on campus, Lake Alice has overflowed its banks flooding Mowry Road, Museum Road and Gale Lemerand Drive. Even if the weather clears, UF faculty and staff should not come to campus for any reason unless they are essential personnel or called in by their supervisors. Students should stay indoors, and not walk or bike around campus until UF officials deem it safe. Numerous limbs are dangling precariously from trees, and high winds will continue through the afternoon. If you are in a safe shelter now, that’s where you should stay for the time being. All employees outside of Alachua County should follow guidance from their local public safety officials.",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "sourceUrl": "https://web.archive.org/web/20220331140902/https://ufalert.ufl.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/UF-Alert_AAR_2017.pdf",
      "sourceDescription": "UF Alert AAR 2017 Attachment 1 (Wayback) — UF Alert-Systemwide Monday, September 11th, 2017, 11:07AM",
      "characterCount": 855,
      "annotations": [
        "Recovered from UF AAR Attachment 1; UF Alert-Systemwide; Monday, September 11th, 2017, 11:07AM"
      ]
    },
    {
      "sequence": 24,
      "type": "update",
      "channel": "sms",
      "timestamp": "2017-09-11T11:15:00-04:00",
      "verbatimText": "Due to storm impacts, no one except essential personnel or staff called in by their supervisors should come to campus today.",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "sourceUrl": "https://web.archive.org/web/20220331140902/https://ufalert.ufl.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/UF-Alert_AAR_2017.pdf",
      "sourceDescription": "UF Alert AAR 2017 Attachment 1 (Wayback) — UF Alert-Gainesville Monday, September 11th, 2017, 11:15AM",
      "characterCount": 124,
      "annotations": [
        "Recovered from UF AAR Attachment 1; UF Alert-Gainesville; Monday, September 11th, 2017, 11:15AM"
      ]
    },
    {
      "sequence": 25,
      "type": "update",
      "channel": "sms",
      "timestamp": "2017-09-11T11:54:00-04:00",
      "verbatimText": "Team B activated for arrival at 1 PM Monday. Please check Email for instructions and details.",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "sourceUrl": "https://web.archive.org/web/20220331140902/https://ufalert.ufl.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/UF-Alert_AAR_2017.pdf",
      "sourceDescription": "UF Alert AAR 2017 Attachment 1 (Wayback) — UF Alert-Shands Monday, September 11th, 2017, 11:54AM",
      "characterCount": 93,
      "annotations": [
        "Recovered from UF AAR Attachment 1; UF Alert-Shands; Monday, September 11th, 2017, 11:54AM"
      ]
    },
    {
      "sequence": 26,
      "type": "update",
      "channel": "sms",
      "timestamp": "2017-09-11T13:38:00-04:00",
      "verbatimText": "Threat of damaging winds has subsided for campus. Use extreme caution outdoors. Avoid standing water. Museum Road remains closed.",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "sourceUrl": "https://web.archive.org/web/20220331140902/https://ufalert.ufl.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/UF-Alert_AAR_2017.pdf",
      "sourceDescription": "UF Alert AAR 2017 Attachment 1 (Wayback) — UF Alert-Gainesville Monday, September 11th, 2017, 1:38PM",
      "characterCount": 129,
      "annotations": [
        "Recovered from UF AAR Attachment 1; UF Alert-Gainesville; Monday, September 11th, 2017, 1:38PM"
      ]
    },
    {
      "sequence": 27,
      "type": "update",
      "channel": "sms",
      "timestamp": "2017-09-11T18:11:00-04:00",
      "verbatimText": "Command Center is now closed. Please resume normal operations.",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "sourceUrl": "https://web.archive.org/web/20220331140902/https://ufalert.ufl.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/UF-Alert_AAR_2017.pdf",
      "sourceDescription": "UF Alert AAR 2017 Attachment 1 (Wayback) — UF Alert-Shands Monday, September 11th, 2017, 6:11PM",
      "characterCount": 62,
      "annotations": [
        "Recovered from UF AAR Attachment 1; UF Alert-Shands; Monday, September 11th, 2017, 6:11PM"
      ]
    },
    {
      "sequence": 28,
      "type": "update",
      "channel": "email",
      "timestamp": "2017-09-11T19:11:00-04:00",
      "verbatimText": "",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": false,
      "sourceUrl": "https://web.archive.org/web/20220331140902/https://ufalert.ufl.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/UF-Alert_AAR_2017.pdf",
      "sourceDescription": "UF Alert AAR 2017 Attachment 1 (Wayback) — UF Alert-Systemwide Monday, September 11th, 2017, 7:11PM",
      "annotations": []
    },
    {
      "sequence": 29,
      "type": "update",
      "channel": "email",
      "timestamp": "2017-09-11T19:42:00-04:00",
      "verbatimText": "The University of Florida currently plans to reopen on Wednesday, with classes resuming Thursday. The past few days have brought devastation to our state, particularly in the southern part. Some members of our university community have suffered significant loss. In Gainesville, there is widespread power loss and some roads remain impassable due to downed trees and floods. Our Gainesville campus never lost power, and apart from numerous downed trees, some flooding and modest damage, the campus was not affected to the extent we were expecting. UF has facilities in every Florida county and, in most cases, those facilities were spared from significant damage. Weather conditions improved today. Considerable progress has been made in clearing Gainesville roads and much of the flooding has subsided. We expect limited RTS bus service to be restored Tuesday with full service by Wednesday. The J. Wayne Reitz Union will open Tuesday noon to 8 p.m. and Wednesday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. The game room will be open and limited food services will be available. With students on campus, we also plan to open UF libraries and the Florida Museum of Natural History on Tuesday. Times will be announced later. Although classes are planning to resume on Thursday, students not currently in Gainesville must use their best judgment in deciding the right time to travel back to campus, making safety a priority. We are asking faculty members and academic staff to be as flexible and understanding as possible to personal hardship experienced by students. We encourage any students in need of assistance to contact U Matter We Care at umatter@ufl.edu. We will do our best to assist students on a case-by-case basis. All employees are expected to report to work at their normal time on Wednesday. We understand that some employees will have personal hardships that will prevent them from returning to work on Wednesday. Supervisors please be as flexible and understanding as possible. UF facilities outside of Gainesville should continue to follow county closing guidance. Employees unable to return to work should contact their supervisors with that information, and supervisors should communicate this information up through their chain of supervision. UF Human Resources will provide guidance to college and vice presidential areas about next steps to assist those employees. UF Health Clinical faculty and staff in the UF Health Science Center colleges and clinical practices will receive direct communication from their college and supervisors concerning their assignments for Wednesday Sept. 13. UF Health Shands Hospital has and will remain open. UF Health Jacksonville will communicate to employees on any scheduling changes. We also are working to identify ways to provide financial and other support to our students, staff, and faculty in need. More details will follow, including how you can help members of our community who need additional assistance as we all work to recover from the storm. We are grateful for all those working to help our university recover. Resuming campus operations will require personal sacrifices. We all should be proud; that is the Gator way.",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "sourceUrl": "https://web.archive.org/web/20220331140902/https://ufalert.ufl.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/UF-Alert_AAR_2017.pdf",
      "sourceDescription": "UF Alert AAR 2017 Attachment 1 (Wayback) — UF Alert-Systemwide Monday, September 11th, 2017, 7:42PM",
      "characterCount": 3168,
      "annotations": [
        "Recovered from UF AAR Attachment 1; UF Alert-Systemwide; Monday, September 11th, 2017, 7:42PM"
      ]
    },
    {
      "sequence": 30,
      "type": "update",
      "channel": "email",
      "timestamp": "2017-09-12T11:05:00-04:00",
      "verbatimText": "One day after Hurricane Irma swept through North Florida, the University of Florida is actively cleaning up campus to make way for employees and the restart of business operations on Wednesday. Students will report back for classes on Thursday. We are asking faculty members and academic staff to be as flexible and understanding as possible to personal hardships experienced by students. We encourage any students in need of assistance to contact U Matter We Care at umatter@ufl.edu. We will do our best to assist students on a case-by-case basis. We are seeing a number of student services reopen including the Reitz Union at noon today with limited services. Tomorrow it will be open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Library West will open at 1 p.m. today and resume a 24-hour schedule. All libraries will reopen at 8 a.m. Wednesday as will the Starbucks in Library West and Marston. The Florida Museum of Natural History will reopen at the normal time on Wednesday. RTS bus service has resumed today with limited routes. Check http://go-rts.com/ for routes and schedules. Check for additional facility openings at www.ufl.edu. While parking restrictions are lifted through today, we ask that anyone who parked in restricted flat lots or garages during the storm to please relocate their vehicles before Wednesday. All employees should inspect their workspaces and report any problems to Facilities Services at 392-1121. Employees in storm-damaged buildings should follow instructions from their supervisors regarding alternate work arrangements. Employees unable to return to work should contact their supervisors with that information, and supervisors should communicate this information up through their chain of supervision. Supervisors please be as flexible and understanding as possible. UF Human Resources will provide guidance to college and vice presidential areas about next steps to assist those employees. UF Health Shands hospitals, the UF Health Shands E.R., the UF Health Shands Trauma Center, the UF Health Shands Pediatric E.R., the UF Health Shands Emergency Center – Springhill and the UF Health Emergency Center – Kanapaha remain open and hospital-based services for inpatients continue operations. All UF Health Physicians practices and services will be fully open on Wednesday, Sept. 13. For up-to-date information on all UF Health Science Center clinical practices, please visit UFHealth.org or call 352-265-0008. Employees working in facilities outside of Gainesville should contact their supervisors. Stay safe everyone.",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "sourceUrl": "https://web.archive.org/web/20220331140902/https://ufalert.ufl.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/UF-Alert_AAR_2017.pdf",
      "sourceDescription": "UF Alert AAR 2017 Attachment 1 (Wayback) — UF Alert-Systemwide Tuesday, September 12th, 2017, 11:05AM",
      "characterCount": 2534,
      "annotations": [
        "Recovered from UF AAR Attachment 1; UF Alert-Systemwide; Tuesday, September 12th, 2017, 11:05AM"
      ]
    },
    {
      "sequence": 31,
      "type": "update",
      "channel": "sms",
      "timestamp": "2017-09-13T12:03:00-04:00",
      "verbatimText": "Command center activated due to potential road closures north of Gainesville. More info via email to follow.",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "sourceUrl": "https://web.archive.org/web/20220331140902/https://ufalert.ufl.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/UF-Alert_AAR_2017.pdf",
      "sourceDescription": "UF Alert AAR 2017 Attachment 1 (Wayback) — UF Alert-Shands Wednesday, September 13th, 2017, 12:03PM",
      "characterCount": 108,
      "annotations": [
        "Recovered from UF AAR Attachment 1; UF Alert-Shands; Wednesday, September 13th, 2017, 12:03PM"
      ]
    },
    {
      "sequence": 32,
      "type": "update",
      "channel": "sms",
      "timestamp": "2017-09-13T16:20:00-04:00",
      "verbatimText": "Command Center is closed. Leaders will continue to monitor situation. Thank you.",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "sourceUrl": "https://web.archive.org/web/20220331140902/https://ufalert.ufl.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/UF-Alert_AAR_2017.pdf",
      "sourceDescription": "UF Alert AAR 2017 Attachment 1 (Wayback) — UF Alert-Shands Wednesday, September 13th, 2017, 4:20PM",
      "characterCount": 80,
      "annotations": [
        "Recovered from UF AAR Attachment 1; UF Alert-Shands; Wednesday, September 13th, 2017, 4:20PM"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "context": "[Hurricane Irma](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Irma) was a Category 5 Atlantic hurricane that struck the Florida Keys on September 10, 2017 as a Category 4 (130 mph at Cudjoe Key, 9:10 AM EDT) and made a second landfall at Marco Island as Category 3 the same afternoon (115 mph at 3:35 PM EDT). At the time it was the most intense Atlantic hurricane to strike the United States since Wilma in 2005 and prompted the largest mandatory evacuation in Florida history, approximately 6.5 million Floridians under evacuation orders. Governor Rick Scott directed all public K-12 schools, state colleges, state universities, and state offices to close from Friday September 8 through Monday September 11 to ensure shelter capacity. [The University of Florida](https://statements.ufl.edu/statements/2017/09/hurricane-irma.html) (the state's flagship public R1 in Gainesville) extended its closure through Wednesday, September 13. According to the [UF Alert 2017 After-Action Report](https://ufalert.ufl.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/UF-Alert_AAR_2017.pdf), Hurricane Irma response 'directly accounted for seventeen of the thirty-eight incidents issued, with twenty-seven of the seventy-two messages associated with the hurricane, representing nearly thirty-eight percent of all UF Alerts sent during 2017.' This makes Irma the single largest emergency-notification campaign in the history of UF Alert through at least 2024. UF Health Shands Hospital remained open throughout, a recurring exception in UF hurricane planning because the academic medical center serves as a regional Level-I trauma referral center. The Gainesville area received tropical-storm-force winds Sunday evening September 10 through Monday morning September 11, with widespread tree damage but minimal structural impact on UF buildings. UF resumed normal operations Thursday, September 14. The Irma response established the UF Alert template later used for [Hurricane Michael in 2018](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Michael), Hurricane Dorian in 2019, Hurricane Ian in 2022, and the Helene/Milton sequence in 2024, most notably the practice of including UF Health Shands as a perpetual exception, the 866-UF-FACTS information line activation, and the 'faculty flexibility' closing language.",
  "keyFindings": [
    "Hurricane Irma response accounted for 17 of 38 incidents and 27 of 72 messages issued through UF Alert in 2017, nearly 38 percent of the entire year's alert volume",
    "UF closed its Gainesville campus Sunday, September 10 through Wednesday, September 13, 2017",
    "Irma made its first Florida landfall at Cudjoe Key as Category 4 (130 mph) at 9:10 AM EDT on September 10 and second landfall at Marco Island as Category 3 (115 mph) at 3:35 PM EDT the same day",
    "UF Health Shands Hospital remained open throughout, a recurring exception in UF hurricane planning",
    "The Irma response established the UF Alert template later used for Michael (2018), Dorian (2019), Ian (2022), and Helene/Milton (2024)",
    "The closing 'faculty flexibility' language from the September 13 reopening message has been repeated verbatim in subsequent UF hurricane alerts through 2024"
  ],
  "sources": [
    {
      "title": "UF Alert » Alert » University of Florida (Archive)",
      "url": "https://ufalert.ufl.edu/2017/09/09/uf-alert-167/",
      "type": "official-archive"
    },
    {
      "title": "UF Alert Summary & After Action Report 2017",
      "url": "https://ufalert.ufl.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/UF-Alert_AAR_2017.pdf",
      "type": "official-archive"
    },
    {
      "title": "September - Hurricane Irma - Statements - University of Florida",
      "url": "https://statements.ufl.edu/statements/2017/09/hurricane-irma.html",
      "type": "official-archive"
    },
    {
      "title": "University of Florida announces closures Sunday and Monday due to threat of Hurricane Irma (UF News)",
      "url": "https://news.ufl.edu/articles/2017/09/university-of-florida-announces-closures-sunday-and-monday-due-to-threat-of-hurricane-irma.html",
      "type": "official-archive"
    },
    {
      "title": "Hurricane Irma (Wikipedia)",
      "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Irma",
      "type": "encyclopedia"
    },
    {
      "title": "NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER TROPICAL CYCLONE REPORT HURRICANE IRMA (AL112017)",
      "url": "https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/data/tcr/AL112017_Irma.pdf",
      "type": "government"
    },
    {
      "title": "UF Alert Summary & After Action Report 2017 (Wayback)",
      "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20220331140902/https://ufalert.ufl.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/UF-Alert_AAR_2017.pdf",
      "type": "after-action-report"
    }
  ],
  "confidence": "high",
  "tags": [
    "hurricane",
    "hurricane-irma",
    "campus-closure",
    "florida",
    "gainesville",
    "uf-alert",
    "after-action-report",
    "2017-hurricane-season",
    "shelter-in-place",
    "public-r1",
    "shands-hospital"
  ],
  "dateAdded": "2026-05-14",
  "lastUpdated": "2026-07-18",
  "addedBy": "ingestion"
}