The change in Hurricane Irma’s path increases the amount of time the storm will be in Gainesville on Monday night, UF spokesperson Janine Sikes said. Campus officials would not be able to assess the damage or safety of campus until Tuesday, she said.
Sikes said it’s unknown what the condition will be off campus in Gainesville and Alachua County, so it was imperative that campus be closed on Tuesday.
UF opened a second on-campus shelter at Southwest Recreation Center, located at 3150 Hull Road, Gainesville, FL 32611. The shelter is scheduled to open Sunday at 10 a.m., but could be opened earlier depending on the need, Sikes said.
According to a UF Alert email, spots are limited and re-entry will not be allowed. Every individual will be allocated 20 square feet of personal space. People evacuated are asked to bring their bedding and any medicines they may be dependent on. Pets and comfort animals will not be allowed, only ADA service animals.
Various Gator Dining and P.O.D. Markets will be open around campus on Sunday and Monday. Information about full hours can be found at gatordining.com. Hours are subject to change if there are strong winds at about 35-40 mph, Sikes said.
“Students need to use their best judgement,” she said. “They really should not be out in heavy winds. There could be projectiles, tree limbs, or other things that would not be safe for individuals to be out on campus.”
For the most recent updates, Sikes is urging people to check the UF homepage.
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