Troy University campus weathers Isaias with minimal damage

A Troy University staff member helps clean up campus by picking up downed limbs. Ty Davidson photo

Hurricane Isaias made landfall Friday afternoon along the Gulf Coast, hitting the Wiregrass late Friday night and continuing into the early hours of Saturday morning.

The Troy University campus made it through the storm relatively unscathed. Downed tree limbs and leaf litter spread across campus; however, there was no major damage to any on-campus facilities, and there were no reports of any on-campus residents being hurt by the storm.

University staff began cleanup efforts across campus early Saturday morning.

While Isaias has passed, hurricane season will continue throughout November. According to Emergency Management Agency (EMA) officials, the most important part of preparing for a storm is having the necessities days before the storm is going to hit.

“You need to prepare as soon as you can,” said Pike County EMA Director Herb Reeves. “Make sure you have food, water, those types of things to get through a couple of days in case we have a power outage.

"If you have a generator, that's great. If you do not, maybe have some ice chests to keep medicines or other food in.”

Once the storm hits, it is important to either have weather apps or tune into news channels to stay up to date about how the storm is changing and where it will hit next.

“Local news channels all have extensive weather monitoring services,” said Troy University Emergency Manager Trey Ingram. “Pay attention to what they are putting out, and then what we are putting out either through Omnilert or emails.

“We are pushing out information as we have it.”

The outer bands of a hurricane can cause tornadoes to spin off. In Alabama, tornadoes are common year-round, but peak in October and November, before peaking again in the spring.

Officials said it is important for students on campus to know where to go if there is a severe weather warning.

“Only two of the dorms have storm shelters, and that is Rushing Hall,” Reeves said. “All the buildings, especially the older buildings, are very sturdy, so go to the first floor.”

It is recommended to go to the lowest, most inner point in your house during severe weather. For students who live off campus but are concerned about whether their apartment or house can withstand a severe storm, Reeves said the Trojan Center (TC) is normally open for shelter.

“We will normally open TC for students who may live in a mobile home or substandard housing,” Reeves said. “We try to have them a place to come to get out of the weather for the night until we can assess the next day.”

Reeves urged people to stay off the roads during serious weather and to find alternative routes home if trees are blocking the road.

People in Troy can call 311 to report downed trees or power outages, while those in the broader Pike County area can call 334-566-0500. Students can access the Omnilert sign-up through their Troy email.

University staff (left) packs limbs and leaf litter into carts while a university lamp post stands broken as a result of the storm. Ty Davidson photos.