Winter Weather Preparedness

Philosophy

Wake Forest is committed to the safety of faculty, staff and students and to providing essential services and operations. The university has a winter weather plan that will be activated, as needed, with 24/7 shifts to keep streets passable for emergency vehicles, walkways open to and from dining facilities, and pathways to offices and classrooms clear before the reopening of campus operations.

Please understand that Wake Forest’s facilities staff will be deployed for winter weather work; non-urgent facilities work orders may be delayed until after the storm.

How WFU will communicate

Students, faculty and staff at Wake Forest will be informed of any weather-related campus closings and delays by all normal Wake Alert methods, as well as by notifying four area television stations – WXII, WGHP, WFMY and Spectrum News 14.

Register your cell phone. Sign up for the Wake Safe app and turn on notifications. The app is accessible to users outside the Wake Forest system, allowing family members to download it and receive alerts.

For faculty and staff

Human Resources has provided guidance on its Inclement Weather and Campus Closures website, and the Inclement Weather and Other Unusual Conditions policy is posted to the University Policy Library. These provide clarity on essential personnel designations, performance expectations and non-exempt employee pay during adverse weather conditions and emergency events.
Faculty and staff may also wish to follow some of the recommended safety and preparedness action items for people living off campus.

Academics

In addition to the University’s communications, the deans of each academic unit may provide specific guidance to their faculty, staff and students. Watch for email messages.
Download key course materials and syllabi in case of power loss.
Students should inform their professors if weather or a power outage may affect their attendance or assignment submissions.

Campus Dining

Campus Dining will be available. Note that there may be limited hours, and all venues might not be open, but there will be food options for students on campus. Visit dining.wfu.edu to see that day’s hours of operation.

Deacon Health (students only)

Use Deacon Health’s on-call nurse if needed; the on-call nurse is available 24/7 to assist students with current healthcare concerns during non-clinic hours. Please call 336.758.5218 and follow the prompts.

Parking and Shuttles

Parking Guidelines

Do not park on Gulley Dr. and Jasper Memory Lane so that snow removal equipment can keep these roads plowed. Leaving your vehicle parked may result in it being blocked by snow piles.
First-year and sophomore students: Please keep your vehicles parked off-campus and remain parked in Lots Z2, Z3 and Z5 over the weekend. Fewer vehicles on campus will help Facilities clear snow from on-campus parking lots.
Residential students: Do not park in Faculty/Staff parking lots over the weekend so Facilities can clear the snow. Please remain parked in Lots J, Q, R1, R2 and Z.

Shuttle Information

For the latest shuttle route information, including service delays, pauses, or cancellations, please visit the Transportation and Parking Services website. Weather-related announcements will be posted as updates become available.

Power outages

Wake Forest’s power lines are underground and are supplied by a dedicated substation with redundant electrical power transmission feeds. The system has endured multiple winter weather events, and we anticipate similar performance with most weather events. In the case of electrical transmission interruptions, utility provider Duke Energy typically provides prompt service to the Wake Forest campus.
Students living off campus with overhead power lines may be at higher risk for power outages. These include many of the residential neighborhoods and apartment complexes near the Reynolda Campus. Campus buildings may be opened as needed if students without power at their off-campus residences need shelter.
Power outages on campus or at other Wake Forest facilities should be reported to the facilities team at 336.758.4255 or University Police at 336.758.5591 or police@wfu.edu.

How to Stay Prepared During Winter Weather

Personal Safety

Avoid going outdoors. If you must be outdoors, recognize the signs of hypothermia and frostbite.
Stay clear of icy trees, rooftops and power lines, as falling ice is dangerous.
Do not walk near ice and snow removal equipment.
Watch for slick spots as you walk.
Driving on ice is dangerous, even with a four-wheel-drive vehicle.
Monitor local forecasts via WXII, WGHP, WFMY and/or Spectrum News. Weather forecasting tools: Weather.gov, WFU WeatherStem
Follow all campus safety guidance shared in emails or other communications.

Personal Preparedness

Dress appropriately if you must go outdoors. Wear at least three layers of loose-fitting clothing. Protect your hands with gloves/mittens.
Avoid unnecessary travel. If you must travel, monitor local weather conditions. Remember: No one can drive on ice.
Charge your phone, laptop, and power banks in advance. Back up important data.
Keep a flashlight or battery-powered lamp nearby in case the power goes out. Don’t forget the batteries!
Don’t forget about pets! Ensure they have enough food, water and medications.
Have a communication plan for contacting family/friends to let them know where you are (if not staying at your residence) and that you are okay.
Consider keeping cash on hand in a safe place.
Be sure you have enough prescription medication, a small first-aid kit, and over-the-counter remedies for common issues (e.g., colds, flu, etc.)

On-Campus Residents

If your Resident Adviser has a group chat or other channel, join and follow it for updates.
- Be sure to save your building’s RA On-Call phone number as well. Phone numbers can be found here.
Please note that if power goes out, candles are not permitted inside residential communities.
To help maintain safe and comfortable building temperatures, students should keep their windows closed.
Keep a supply of non-perishable foods (granola bars, nuts, etc.) and refill reusable water bottles. This can be helpful if students do not wish to be out in the snow to reach on-campus dining options.

Off-Campus Residents

Keep windows and doors closed. Protect your pipes from freezing; leave faucets on a slow drip.
Know who to notify in the event of a power outage — Duke Energy directly or your landlord/property manager.
- More information about Duke Energy outages is available here.
- Notify your landlord or property manager promptly if you encounter heating, power or weather-related maintenance issues.
- Generator usage:
  - Always run generators outdoors and ensure you have a carbon monoxide alarm in your house.
  - Do not use the generator in a wet area.
  - Do not fuel your generator while it is running.
Keep at least three days of non-perishable food and at least one gallon of water per person, per day on hand.
- Pro Tip: Consider setting your fridge to the coldest setting if you think your power might go out — it helps preserve food longer. Avoid opening the fridge often.
Prepare for potential heating loss — have extra blankets, warm winter clothes, and safe indoor heat sources (e.g., space heaters with safety shutoffs). Do not use the stove/oven for heat!
Have a snow shovel to keep your walkway clear (unless your landlord provides snow clearance).
Cover outdoor plants and move potted plants indoors.

Prepare Your Vehicle

Fill your car with gas before the storm.
Have your car winterized. Check the battery, fluids (antifreeze), tires, brakes, heater and defroster, and windshield wipers to ensure they are in working order.
Keep an extra emergency kit in your car. Consider adding jumper cables, a portable charger, extra warm clothes and blankets, a flashlight (with extra batteries) and non-perishable foods.