Frequently Asked Questions

Tropical Storms and Hurricanes University Plans
Storm Preparations (What to do before a storm) What to do after a storm

Tropical Storms and Hurricanes

When is hurricane season?

Hurricane season begins on June 1 and runs through November 30.

What is the difference between a hurricane watch and hurricane warning? 

A hurricane watch is issued when storm conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or higher) are expected within a certain area. It is issued 36 hours ahead of the expected conditions to allow for storm preparations which become more difficult once the conditions arise. A hurricane warning means storm conditions are expected and is issued 48 hours ahead of anticipated conditions. Both a watch and warning should be taken seriously, and storm preparations should begin.

What is the difference between a tropical storm watch and tropical storm warning?

A tropical storm watch will be issued 48 hours prior to the onset of wind speeds between 39-73 mph. A tropical storm warning will be issued 36 hours prior to the onset of wind speeds between 39-73 mph. While tropical storm wind speeds are lower than hurricane force winds, tropical storms are still important to prepare for and watch.

Should I only worry about hurricanes and not tropical storms?

You should stay vigilant through any weather condition and follow guidance from the university, as well as local and regional officials.

University Plans

How does the university monitor storms?

Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi has an Incident Command Team that monitors any weather conditions and other hazards that may impact the campus. The team meets annually to review its hurricane response plan and all units on campus review their business continuity plans annually. The hurricane response plan has several trigger points based on the storm’s conditions that lead to different actions and preparations.

When a storm enters the Gulf of Mexico, with guidance from the National Weather Service and StormGeo, the team begins monitoring. As trigger points are reached, additional actions take place to prepare for a storm as appropriate. Actions taken depend on the severity of the storm and its path, but may include boarding up windows, moving computers and equipment away from windows, sand bagging areas, and evacuation preparations.

Would the university cancel classes in the event of a storm?

The safety of our students, faculty, and staff is always our top priority. If weather predictions for the campus and surrounding community include high winds, storm surge, or flooding conditions, a decision to cancel classes, delay start of business, or other options might be made in cooperation with local emergency management personnel, the Texas A&M University System, and other officials. Notifications will be sent via the Code Blue emergency notification system and posted on our website and social media channels.

Will the university make a decision in time for me to leave?

Yes. Safety is the top priority, and a decision will be made with plenty of time to leave campus before the effects of any storm arrive.

How does the university communicate with the Islander Community during an emergency?

Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi uses the Code Blue Emergency Notification System, a comprehensive alert system which can connect with students, faculty, and staff during emergency situations. The notifications include emails, text, and pre-recorded messages, as appropriate. Emergencies can include severe weather warnings, threats, school closures, delays, evacuations, and other incidents which disrupt regular campus activities. For more information, please visit the Code Blue website. The university also utilizes its website, social media channels, and traditional media outlets like television, radio, and newspapers to share information in an emergency situation.

Would the university open a temporary shelter?

The university doesn’t operate shelters on campus but has agreements with other universities to house campus residents during an emergency. Residents who live on campus and need a place to stay will be transported to a partner campus for shelter.

How will I know when decisions are made?

Make sure your contact information is up to date  so you can receive Code Blue messages. Updates are sent via email and text and are posted on the university’s website. Information also will be sent to local media and shared on our social media channels.

How will I know when it is safe to come back to campus?

Watch for messages from campus via Code Blue. Please do not return to campus until you are notified that it is safe to do so.

How soon would classes resume?

It depends on the situation. The university will return to normal operations as soon as it is safe to do so. Information will be communicated via social media, our Code Blue emergency notification system (text and email), our website, and local news media.

Storm Preparations (What to do before a storm)

When should I start preparing for a hurricane?

It is best to have some plans in place before hurricane season starts. Make sure your contact information is correct in  for emergency notifications. Know where you will go if there is an evacuation, what to take with you, and how to prepare your living space while you are gone. If you live on campus and you don’t have a place to go, the university will provide transportation to another university that is not located in the storm’s path. Those who do not live on campus should utilize evacuation information located on the City of Corpus Christi’s website.

What should I do to prepare and protect my office?

In severe weather or other safety-related emergencies, the Division of Information Technology (DoIT) will ask employees to turn off, unplug, and cover equipment before the campus closes. The following checklist provides DoIT’s recommendations to help protect computer equipment and data during any event that may affect the University and surrounding areas. 

FILES

Sync data to an official university cloud-based solution (e.g., OneDrive, Teams) to ensure continued access to computer files during a campus closure.

ACADEMIC CONTINUITY

Faculty should maintain no less than two (2) weeks of materials (including assignments and assessments) ready for release in the learning management system to mitigate unexpected disruptions should a faculty member be unable to teach.

COMMUNICATION

Ensure an alternative method to stay in contact is in place, such as chat, Zoom, Teams, email, or via mobile device. University-approved communication and collaboration tools are listed on the Anytime, Anywhere Access knowledge base. 

SOFTWARE

Verify devices are equipped with the software necessary to continue academic and business operations when on-site computers are inaccessible. 

EQUIPMENT

Shut down computers and turn off monitors. Peripherals, such as printers and external drives, should also be powered down. Unplug the power cords of all devices from the wall to safeguard equipment from electrical surges that occur when power is restored after a sudden outage. Please do not remove any other cables (such as phone cables) besides power cords to prevent a delay once authorized to return to campus. Plastic bags will be distributed to protect items from potential exposure to water.  

If a storm is predicted to enter the Gulf of Mexico, should I be concerned? 

You should always pay attention to weather conditions as they may change rapidly. It is always better to be alert and prepared and ensure your contact information is correct for emergency notifications.

If the university closes, can I stay in my campus apartment or residence hall?

No. If the campus closes due to a hurricane, all campus-owned housing will close and all residents are required to leave. If residential students in campus-owned housing do not have another place to go, they will be provided with the option to be bussed to another location. The university maintains agreements with other schools that will provide emergency shelter if needed.

Would the university evacuate residence halls or campus apartments?

Yes, depending on the path and severity of a storm or hurricane, the university could decide to evacuate. If the campus closes due to a hurricane, all campus-owned housing will close and all residents will be required to leave. Residents living in residence halls or campus apartments will be informed by housing staff about the campus closure and must comply with evacuation orders.  If residential students in campus-owned housing do not have another place to go, they will be provided with the option to be transported to another location. The university maintains agreements with other schools who will provide emergency shelter if needed.

I am not in campus-owned housing, what do I do if campus closes? 

 If you don't live on campus, you are responsible for finding a place to go. Students cannot stay on campus during an evacuation.

It is important that you plan ahead and use the resources listed below for assistance.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Hurricane Center both provide great educational information on emergency preparation, current tropical status, and so much more.  The best thing any coastal resident can do is educate themselves on hurricanes, so they are prepared before there is a storm threat.

Local resources:

Nueces County Office of Emergency Management - follow them on Twitter

City of Corpus Christi Office of Emergency Management - follow them on Twitter

National Weather Service - Corpus Christi - follow them on Twitter

What if I don’t have somewhere else to stay?

The university has agreements with other schools to house students living in campus-owned housing in the event of an emergency evacuation. If the university decides to evacuate, students who live on campus and who do not have a place to go, would be bussed to the partner school. More information would be communicated at the time of the decision to evacuate.

If you don't live on campus, you are responsible for finding a place to go. Students cannot stay on campus during an evacuation.

It is important that you plan ahead. Nueces County Emergency Management provides shelters in the local area. 

If the university closes, what should I take with me?

Take the things you will need to support your course work if the university is closed for an extended period. You should also take your SandDollar$ ID card and other forms of identification that you might need.

If campus doesn’t close but I want to go home, can I do that?

Yes, but make sure you let your professors know you are leaving and make arrangements for any missed work in the event that the university does not close.

It looks like there’s a storm in the Gulf of Mexico. Why isn’t the university closing?

With guidance from the National Weather Service and StormGeo, the university’s Emergency Response Team monitors all storms in the Gulf of Mexico and makes decisions regarding closures with information from the Texas A&M University System, local and regional emergency management officials, and weather reports. With safety as its top priority, the Emergency Response Team collects information and determines the best course of action. A decision to close likely would not occur while a storm is still farther out in the Gulf of Mexico and its path is likely to change, but storm monitoring would continue, and decisions could change based on updated information.

I don’t have a car. How do I leave campus in the event of a closure? 

It is important that you plan ahead and use the resources listed below for assistance.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Hurricane Center both provide great educational information on emergency preparation, current tropical status, and so much more. The best thing any coastal resident can do is educate themselves on hurricanes, so they are prepared before there is a storm threat.

Local resources:

Nueces County Office of Emergency Management - follow them on Twitter

City of Corpus Christi Office of Emergency Management - follow them on Twitter

National Weather Service - Corpus Christi - follow them on Twitter

I’m an international student. What happens if the university closes and I don’t have a place to go? 

If you live on campus, you will have the opportunity to be evacuated and bussed to a partner school.

If you don't live on campus, you are responsible for finding a place to go. Students cannot stay on campus during an evacuation.

It is important that you plan ahead. Nueces County Emergency Management provides shelters in the local area. 

Are there resources I can use for guidance during a weather emergency?

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Hurricane Center both provide great educational information on emergency preparation, current tropical status, and so much more.  The best thing any coastal resident can do is educate themselves on hurricanes, so they are prepared before there is a storm threat.

Local resources:

Nueces County Office of Emergency Management - follow them on Twitter

City of Corpus Christi Office of Emergency Management - follow them on Twitter

National Weather Service - Corpus Christi - follow them on Twitter

What to do after a storm

What will happen if the university can’t reopen after a hurricane?

University officials would make every effort to return to normal operations as soon as it is safe to do so. If the situation prevented the university from reopening immediately after a storm, you will be notified of the anticipated date of opening and the interim plans.

Would the university pay for loss or damages to my belongings if a storm hits?

No, the university is not responsible for damage to personal belongings. We encourage everyone to secure renter’s insurance to cover any loss or damage.

Will scheduled events be cancelled?

The university offices that sponsor events (i.e., campus tours, information sessions, summer camps, etc.) closely monitor weather situations and communicate regularly with university and emergency officials. Decisions to cancel events are made as soon as information is readily available and will be announced on departmental social media, through communication management programs, the university website, or via Code Blue.