USF weather update on Tropical Storm Helene

Updated Tuesday, Sept. 24 at 4:30 p.m. -

The University of South Florida continues to monitor Tropical Storm Helene.  The safety of our students, faculty and staff is our highest priority as we track the storm and the possible impacts to the Tampa Bay region.  

Based on the latest weather information, all classes are canceled beginning on Wednesday, Sept. 25, and will not resume until Monday, Sept. 30.

All USF campuses will be closed beginning on Wednesday, Sept. 25, and will remain closed through at least Friday, Sept. 27. As of now, we expect to reopen campuses and return to normal business operations (without classes) on Saturday, Sept. 28. A final decision on the operating status for Saturday, Sept. 28, will be announced on Friday, Sept. 27.

Only USF employees who are 1) classified as essential personnel or 2) identified by their supervisors as critical to campus operations should report to work, come to campus or work remotely while campuses are closed. Non-essential staff or those not deemed critical to campus operations by their supervisor are not expected to work, remotely or otherwise, while campuses are closed. Please contact your supervisor if you are unsure of your status. Please do not return to campus until notified that it is safe to do so.  Supervisors are asked to be patient and understanding with their employees under the circumstances.

As soon as campuses close, academic and research buildings will move to emergency mode to allow response teams to prepare for impending weather. Once buildings move to emergency mode, only emergency personnel will be permitted to enter until campuses re-open.

For students who live on campus:

• Residence halls on the Tampa and Sarasota-Manatee campuses remain open.
• Residence halls in St. Petersburg will close beginning on Wednesday, Sept. 25.USF St. Petersburg residential students without a place to stay will be picked up at 10 a.m. on Wednesday at the University Student Center and transported to Juniper-Poplar Hall on the Tampa campus. Students must reserve a space by 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 24, if they need to relocate to Tampa by contacting Susan Kimbrough, director of Housing and Residential Education on the St. Petersburg campus: [email protected].

USF Health clinical facilities will be open on Wednesday, Sept. 25, and will be closed on Thursday, Sept. 26.  A decision about Friday, Sept. 27, has not been made at this time. USF Health patients may call 813-821-8038 to reschedule their appointments.

USF is preparing a list of FAQs that will be available soon via usf.edu, MyUSF and USF's official social media channels. The FAQs will be updated throughout the duration of the storm.

We urge students, faculty and staff to plan carefully, follow local weather reports, and monitor updates from county and state emergency management officials. The USF Hurricane Guide also serves as a valuable resource for the university community.  
USF leadership will continue to monitor the storm and provide additional updates as needed. Any significant updates regarding changes to normal business operations will be shared via www.usf.edu, USF's official social media channels, MyUSF and email.

Updated Monday, Sept. 23 at 3 p.m. -

The University of South Florida is monitoring the tropical system in the Caribbean Sea and any possible impacts to the Tampa Bay region. The safety of students, faculty and staff is our highest priority as we track the storm.

The USF community is encouraged to prepare their personal hurricane plans, review the USF Hurricane Guide and monitor weather reports.

At this time, classes and normal business operations are continuing as scheduled. Updates will be shared via usf.edu, USF's official social media channels, MyUSF and email.