The Citadel's Hurricane Op Plan (below) contains the overall hurricane plan for all groups at The Citadel. For the latest information, stay tuned to www.citadel.edu and the DAWG line at (843) 953-3294. If severe weather (or some other emergency) prevents you from reaching www.citadel.edu or the DAWG line, stay tuned to www.bulldogalert.info for the latest information (please remember this URL). The five Operational Conditions ("OPCONs") from the Hurricane Op Plan are briefly summarized on this page (below).
The Citadel Hurricane Ops Plan.
Click here (www.bulldogalert.info) for The Citadel's Hurricane Operations Plan Quick Reference Guide, and for the complete, full-length plan. The Citadel's mission in the event of a hurricane expected to make landfall in the Charleston area: "The Citadel takes actions necessary to preclude loss of life and to minimize damage to property, equipment, utility systems, and facilities as a result of a hurricane striking the Charleston, SC area; and, prepares to conduct recovery operations to restore essential services and return to normal operations."
The five Tropical Storm/Hurricane Operational Conditions ("OPCONs").
Under hurricane conditions, The Citadel follows the procedures listed below in conjunction with planning by regional emergency preparedness organizations:
- OPCON 5: Hurricane Season Preparation
- OPCON 4: Notification and Alert (normally 72 hours prior to storm landfall)
- OPCON 3: Stand-by (normally 48 hours prior to storm landfall)
- OPCON 2: Full Alert and Preparation (normally 24 hours prior to storm landfall)
- OPCON 1: Evacuation (normally 12 hours prior to storm landfall)
Helpful links:
- National Hurricane Center Tropical Prediction Center
- FEMA
- Weather Underground: Tropical Weather
- Interactive Weather Information Network
OPCON 5: Hurricane Season Preparation
At the beginning of the hurricane season, Citadel personnel review procedures and plan for a potential hurricane:
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Commandant reviews operational plans and conducts training to insure that all members of the Corps of Cadets are familiar with bed-down and evacuation support requirements.
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All Citadel staff review the bed-down and evacuation support requirements and take actions necessary for the provision of support.
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Physical plant will review campus building capacities for bed-down numbers based on Red Cross recommendations, and advise commandant of any changes to the Building (Other than barracks) Bed-down Capacities Listing.
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Commandant will use Building (Other than barracks) Bed-down Capacities Listing to assign numbers of bed-down personnel to each campus building other than barracks.
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Commandant will decide what barracks rooms will be used for bed-down, and add those numbers to the Building (Other than barracks) Bed-down Capacities Listing.
OPCON 4: Notification and Alert (normally 72 hours prior to storm landfall)
When a hurricane is forecasted to make landfall in 72 hours, the institution enters the stage called Op Con 4. Following are a list of steps The Citadel follows in conjunction with planning by regional emergency preparedness organizations.
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The commandant insures that cadet commander initiate the company evacuation plan by updating the cadet tracking/accountability roster. All unit personnel must be listed.
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TAC officers check tracking/accountability rosters to insure that all company personnel are included and have a form of transportation out of the evacuation area. Local cadets who will evacuate with their family will also be included on an accountability roster with their family member shown as the driver.
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The Citadel staff should make final preparations required to support bed-down or evacuation as required. The commandant, working through staff vice presidents, takes action to determine those faculty and staff members who will seek bed-down support on The Citadel campus during a hurricane non-evacuation situation. These lists shall have number and names of personnel, phone numbers, ages, gender, vehicle storage requirements, and special health considerations. No pets are allowed.
OPCON 3: Stand-by (normally 48 hours prior to storm landfall)
When The Citadel responds to the forecast of a hurricane which could make landfall in 48 hours, the institution enters the stage called Op Con 3. Following are a list of steps The Citadel follows in conjunction with planning by regional emergency preparedness organizaitons:
- The commandant requires the Corps of Cadets to submit updated cadet tracking/accountability rosters.
- The commandant's staff checks the rosters for completeness.
- Cadets with cars conduct maintenance checks and insure their car fuel tanks are full.
- Cadet commanders issue copies of Corps of Cadets bed-down/evacuation procedures and make sure all cadets are familiar with actions to be taken.
- Regimental staff insures accomplishment of required coordination with campus activities (mess hall, public safety, physical plant, infirmary).
- The commandant takes action to confirm those faculty and staff members who will seek bed-down support on The Citadel campus during a hurricane non-evacuation situation. Number of personnel, ages, gender, vehicle storage requirements, and special health considerations will be determined.
- The commandant coordinates required faculty and staff bed-down support, emergency meals support, and equipment and power support.
- Commandant issues faculty/staff bed-down instructions to those who indicate they desire bed-down support.
- Commandant appoints a bed-down facility manager.
- Decision on evacuation should be made at this time. The president of The Citadel is the only official of the college authorized to make the evacuation decision.
OPCON 2: Full Alert and Preparation (normally 24 hours prior to storm landfall)
When The Citadel responds to the forecast of a hurricane which could make landfall in 24 hours, the institution enters the stage called Op Con 2. Following are a list of steps The Citadel follows in conjunction with planning by regional emergency preparedness organizations:
- Sophomores move their cars to Kovats Field.
- The Corps of Cadets is restricted to campus.
- Cadets with cars make contact with their families and someone at their evacuation location if the evacuation location is not home.
- Local cadets without cars make contact with family members who will pick them up in the event of an evacuation. Decision will be made concerning local cadets being allowed to go home before Op Con 1 is declared.
- Based upon space available, cadets are to be prepared to move private vehicles to parking garage on Hagood Avenue in the event an evacuation is not directed but a storm strike is imminent.
- Commandant issues specific instructions to the faculty and staff concerning reporting to bed-down locations.
- Bed-down facility manager opens facility and begins check-in of personnel using prescribed forms.
OPCON 1: Evacuation (normally 12 hours prior to storm landfall)
Op Con 1 is a state of evacuation which is usually implemented 12 hours before a forecasted hurricane is to make landfall.
- Corps of Cadets is released by battalion.
- Commandant's department personnel secure barracks and Jenkins Hall.
