{"359831":{"#nid":"359831","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Prep Begins for Potential Winter Storms","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp class=\u0022p1\u0022\u003ELast winter was memorable for many, particularly those who spent hours stuck on roadways during \u201cSnowmageddon.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp class=\u0022p5\u0022\u003ESome weather forecasters are predicting this winter to be colder and wetter than average. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts lower than average temperatures overall for the Southeast this season. That does not necessarily equate to more frequent or stronger snowstorms, though, which are only predicted about a week in advance.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp class=\u0022p5\u0022\u003EThe Office of Emergency Preparedness advises that all employees, especially commuters, be prepared for whatever weather comes their way.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp class=\u0022p5\u0022\u003E\u201cEspecially for commuters, it is critical that they put together a basic kit for their cars,\u201d said William Smith, project manager for Emergency Preparedness. Smith advises that kits include food, water, a space blanket, gloves, hats, a flashlight, and a cellphone charger. Drivers should also keep fuel tanks at least half full.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp class=\u0022p5\u0022\u003EEmergency Preparedness works closely with Facilities to plan for seasonal weather issues in advance. This year, Facilities has more ice melt on hand than last year. Its Landscape Services Department has created new brine mixing stations and will equip several utility vehicles with spray nozzles to pre-treat critical intersections, traffic areas, sidewalks, and stairs. This treatment is designed to slow the accumulation of ice and snow and make it easier to clear after accumulation has begun. Facilities also works with Parking and Transportation Services to address accessibility in parking lots and decks.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp class=\u0022p5\u0022\u003EThe Utilities Maintenance group is prepared to work around the clock to ensure campus heating and steam systems remain operational.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp class=\u0022p5\u0022\u003EIf an ice or snow event hits, Facilities will establish a central Severe Weather Command Center to aid in communication and dispatching services and equipment around campus.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp class=\u0022p4\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch6 class=\u0022p6\u0022\u003EClosing Time?\u003C\/h6\u003E\u003Cp class=\u0022p6\u0022\u003EIn the event of inclement weather, the Institute may issue one of several designations. \u201cClasses canceled\u201d means all classes and instructional laboratories will not meet. Administrative and research activities not directly tied to instruction will generally continue as normal, unless otherwise instructed by a supervisor. Other support employees may also be instructed not to report to work. \u201cCampus closed\u201d means no employees are to report to work aside from those previously designated as \u201cemergency essential\u201d by their department or otherwise instructed by a supervisor. Campus opening or activities may also be delayed until a designated later time. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp class=\u0022p5\u0022\u003EEmployees can find out about campus closures and Tech\u2019s response in several ways. The first and best source for updates is the Georgia Tech homepage: \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/gatech.edu\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003Egatech.edu\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E. Updates will be posted there as campus leadership evaluates and determines the response to each weather situation.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp class=\u0022p5\u0022\u003EInformation is also shared via social media. Updates will be posted to Twitter at \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/twitter.com\/gtpdalerts\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E@gtpdalerts\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/twitter.com\/georgiatech\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E@georgiatech\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, and on Facebook at \u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/facebook.com\/gtemergency\u0022\u003Efacebook.com\/gtemergency\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003Eand \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/facebook.com\/georgiatech\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003Efacebook.com\/georgiatech\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp class=\u0022p1\u0022\u003ESome weather forecasters are predicting this winter to be colder and wetter than average.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Some weather forecasters are predicting this winter to be colder and wetter than average."}],"uid":"27469","created_gmt":"2015-01-05 16:02:34","changed_gmt":"2016-10-08 03:17:46","author":"Kristen Bailey","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2015-01-05T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2015-01-05T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"176501":{"id":"176501","type":"image","title":"Tech Snowman","body":null,"created":"1449179031","gmt_created":"2015-12-03 21:43:51","changed":"1475894819","gmt_changed":"2016-10-08 02:46:59","alt":"Tech Snowman","file":{"fid":"195878","name":"snowman.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/snowman_0.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/snowman_0.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":236241,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/snowman_0.jpg?itok=_27PY5W1"}},"358451":{"id":"358451","type":"image","title":"Walking on Campus in the Snow","body":null,"created":"1449245775","gmt_created":"2015-12-04 16:16:15","changed":"1475895093","gmt_changed":"2016-10-08 02:51:33","alt":"Walking on Campus in the Snow","file":{"fid":"201513","name":"snowwalking.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/snowwalking_0.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/snowwalking_0.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1634117,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/snowwalking_0.jpg?itok=0qaKPUkG"}}},"media_ids":["176501","358451"],"related_links":[{"url":"http:\/\/police.gatech.edu\/emergencypreparedness\/","title":"GT Office of Emergency Preparedness"}],"groups":[{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"}],"categories":[{"id":"129","name":"Institute and Campus"}],"keywords":[{"id":"8743","name":"emergency preparedness"},{"id":"8185","name":"winter weather"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71871","name":"Campus and Community"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:william.smith@ep.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EWilliam Smith\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EOffice of Emergency Preparedness\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:kristen.bailey@comm.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EKristen Bailey\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EInstitute Communications\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}