Rice University and the surrounding Houston areas are no strangers to major weather events like hurricanes, floods, extreme heat, and the occasional freeze. When faced with significant weather events, the university relies on the expertise of Emergency Management and the university-wide Incident Management Team (IMT) to ensure the Rice community is prepared and safe.
Emergency Management is responsible for creating and coordinating plans to safeguard lives, research, and property. The team works diligently to monitor the weather and communicate important storm-related information.
If you are new to the Gulf Coast area, it is important to become familiar with the types of severe weather that impact the Gulf Coast during the June 1 - November 30 hurricane season. The Rice community can prepare by following this hurricane preparedness guide.
Stay Informed
- Stay informed about local conditions by checking alerts from local city officials.
- Watch for Rice Alert through text, email, the Rice University website, and the Everbridge app.
- All students, faculty, and staff are strongly encouraged to ensure their emergency contact information is current in iO (for faculty and staff) and ESTHER (for students).
Post-Storm Recovery
- Wait for local officials to confirm it is safe to return home and avoid any areas that haven't been cleared.
- Watch for Rice Alert notifications to know when regular campus operations resume.
- Assess your home for damage.
- Prioritize your safety and the health of your loved ones. Contact your supervisor if you are unable to return to work.
- Check on neighbors, especially the elderly and those with disabilities, to ensure they are safe.
- Stay informed by following trusted news sources for the latest updates.
Resources
There are many resources available in the community that offer help.
- Ready Harris offers disaster preparedness and emergency essential lists in multiple languages.
- Drivetexas.org makes navigating the roads easier during weather-related events by providing up-to-date conditions.
Staying informed, having emergency plans, and using available resources make navigating weather-related events safer and easier. To get the latest updates and information during a weather event, sign up for Rice Alerts.