Tropical Storm Helene
Update 6
September 27, 2024 – 1:15 p.m.
Normal Operations Resume at Orlando Campus
Dear PBA Community,
- Orlando is no longer under any watches or warnings.
- The Orlando campus will resume a normal schedule Monday, September 30.
- Students should report to class, and employees should report to work.
This concludes the Emergency Management Team’s Orlando communication concerning Hurricane Helene.
As a reminder, the Emergency Management Team monitors all weather systems that could impact PBA campuses and will communicate about any adverse weather conditions.
Our prayers are with those affected by Hurricane Helene.
This message has been distributed on behalf of the Department of Public Safety and the Emergency Management Team.
Update 5
September 26, 2024, 5:15 p.m.
Normal Operations Resume at West Palm Beach Campus on Friday, Sept. 27 Orlando Remains Closed.
Dear PBA Community,
- The West Palm Beach campus will resume its normal schedule and business operations tomorrow, Friday, September 27.
- Students should report to in-person classes, and employees should report to work.
Palm Beach County is under a High Surf Advisory and a Tornado Watch which both expire at 8 p.m. this evening. The Tropical Storm Warning is expected to end later this evening. The Flood Watch remains in effect until 8 a.m. Friday. Please note that forecasters have referred to Hurricane Helene as a broad storm, and we will likely continue experiencing rain this evening, tomorrow, and through the weekend.
The Orlando campus will remain closed on Friday, September 27. All further Orlando communication will be sent only to Orlando faculty, staff, and students.
This concludes the Emergency Management Team’s West Palm Beach communication concerning Hurricane Helene.
As a reminder, the Emergency Management Team monitors all weather systems that could impact PBA campuses and will communicate about any adverse weather conditions.
Our prayers are with everyone still within the path of Hurricane Helene.
This message has been distributed on behalf of the Department of Public Safety and the Emergency Management Team.
Update 4
September 25, 2024, 5:10 p.m.
Dear PBA Community,
West Palm Beach remains outside the projected path of Hurricane Helene. However, Palm Beach County is still under a Tropical Storm Warning due to the potential for strong winds reaching beyond the storm’s center. We are also under a Flood Watch. As a precautionary measure, PBA has made the following decisions for the West Palm Beach campus:
Wednesday, September 25
- Classes, including evening classes, will continue in-person.
Thursday, September 26
- All in-person classes scheduled are canceled. Students should follow instructions from their professors regarding online classes and/or makeup assignments.
- Online classes will continue as scheduled.
- The Warren Library will operate normally from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- All essential operations on the campus will continue.
Residence halls remain open during this time. Residential students will receive a separate email from Residence Life regarding procedures and meals. Professional Residence Life staff are present to provide care and support to students.
Employees will receive a separate email from Human Resources with work instructions for Thursday.
The previous adjustments to the Orlando campus schedule for today, Wednesday, September 25 and Thursday, September 26, remain in place.
Everyone is encouraged to exercise caution and take every measure to stay safe.
While we expect to resume in-person classes and normal operations on Friday, the Emergency Management Team will assess and send an update on campus operations by 8 p.m. on Thursday, September 26. Communications will be sent via email and the storm updates page.
This message has been distributed on behalf of the Department of Public Safety and the Emergency Management Team.
Update 3
September 25, 2024, 12 p.m.
Dear PBA Community,
As of noon today, we continue to actively monitor what is now Hurricane Helene. Operations at PBA’s West Palm Beach campus continue as normal.
Update 2
September 25 2024 • 7:35 a.m.
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Classes will be held in person until 2 p.m., on the Orlando campus after which they will shift to online instruction for the remainder of the evening.
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Employees will work on campus until 6 p.m., when the Orlando campus will officially close.
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The Orlando campus will be closed. Classes will continue online, and employees will work remotely.
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An announcement will be made by 4 p.m. regarding employee expectations for Friday, September 27, 2024.
Update 1
September 24, 2024 • 1 p.m.
Dear PBA Community,
PBA’s Emergency Management team has been monitoring the progression of Tropical Storm Helene, which is forecast to become a Category 3 hurricane by Thursday, with potential landfall on Florida’s Gulf Coast between Tampa and Pensacola.
While no direct effects are expected for the West Palm Beach campus, we anticipate possible wind, rain, and high surf due to the size of the storm. The Orlando campus is currently under a Tropical Storm Watch. Based on this, PBA has decided on the following:
West Palm Beach Campus:
All operations continue as normal.
Orlando Campus:
Wednesday, September 25, 2024:
- Classes will be held in person until 2 p.m., after which they will shift to online instruction for the remainder of the evening.
- Employees will work on campus until 6 p.m. when the Orlando campus will officially close.
Thursday, September 26, 2024:
- The Orlando campus will be closed. Classes will continue online. Employees will work remotely.
- An announcement will be made by 4 p.m. regarding employee expectations for Friday, September 27, 2024.
As a reminder, the Emergency Management Team monitors all weather systems that could impact PBA campuses and communicates via email and the storm updates page when necessary. Our highest priority remains the safety of our students, faculty, and staff. Please continue checking our communication channels for the latest information.
This message has been distributed on behalf of the Department of Public Safety and the Emergency Management Team.