FSU, FAMU, TCC to close campuses through Friday and reopen Tuesday due to Hurricane Idalia

Florida State and Florida A&M universities as well as Tallahassee Community College will all be closed as of noon Tuesday through Friday ahead of Tropical Storm Idalia and its expected impact.

The campuses will also be closed Monday for the Labor Day holiday, and they expect to reopen Tuesday, Sept. 5.

The extended closures of the institutions follow initial announcements Monday stating that only Wednesday would be closed.

Additional precautions are being taken as recent updates on Idalia show westward movement in the storm's track and models that have raised the danger level for Tallahassee as it is expected to make landfall as a category 3 hurricane.

A hurricane warning and flood watch were both issued for Leon County Tuesday, and winds are expected on the west coast of the state by late Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning as the storm threatens to hit Florida's Big Bend.

More on Idalia: Live Idalia updates: Florida shutting down, evacuating and bracing for major hurricane

More: Idalia: Hurricane will bring catastrophic surge to Florida coast | Forecast

The college and university announcements started being made shortly after the Leon County School District announced its closure.

As the hurricane approaches, TCC is holding a pop-up emergency distribution on campus in its Student Union building at noon Tuesday while supplies last, according to a TCC spokesperson.

Here is more information from FSU, FAMU and TCC Communications about the steps they are taking as their campuses will be closed, with classes also being canceled:

FSU

University officials have reviewed the latest forecast for Hurricane Idalia from the National Hurricane Center, and based on the 11 a.m. ET advisory and in anticipation of widespread power outages in Tallahassee and Leon County, the FSU Tallahassee campus will close and cancel classes beginning at 12 p.m. Tuesday and will remain closed through Friday.

Students are encouraged to discuss possible travel plans with family and friends and are discouraged from traveling into the path of the storm as weather and road conditions east and south of Tallahassee are expected to deteriorate Tuesday evening through Wednesday.

Students are encouraged to utilize this time to make sure they are adequately prepared for the storm by stocking up on necessities such as water and nonperishable foods in case a shelter-in-place order is issued.

Essential business operations will continue. Deans and Vice Presidents will provide guidance for their respective colleges and divisions. Employees designated by their department as essential personnel should consult with their supervisors. Research teams should utilize this time to ensure their labs are prepared.

Main campus housing will remain open and dining operations will be adjusted accordingly throughout the closure. Additional details on student services and programming are forthcoming.

FAMU

FAMU will suspend classes and university operations at the Tallahassee main campus, Quincy and the Viticulture Center from 12:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. The university will reopen for normal operations Sept. 5.

Drop and add dates will be extended. One-Stop-Shop will continue 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Sept. 5 in the Grand Ballroom on campus.

The Hub and the Top Café on campus will remain open until 7 p.m. Tuesday. Meal accommodations will be made for students daily. Residence halls will be open, and students are urged to shelter in place.

The Educational Research Center for Child Development (ERCCD) will close at 1. p.m. Tuesday and all of Wednesday.

TCC

Based on updated guidance about the anticipated impact of Hurricane Idalia to the region, TCC will close all campuses and cancel classes starting at 5 p.m. Tuesday through the remainder of the week.

The Florida Public Safety Institute is currently open and operational in order to serve as a staging site for first responders.

Contact Tarah Jean at tjean@tallahassee.com or follow her on twitter @tarahjean_.

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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU, FAMU, TCC close campuses, cancel classes due to Hurricane Idalia