Hurricane Helene is predicted to make landfall tomorrow afternoon in the Big Bend region of the Florida Panhandle and move into the area as early as 3 p.m. It is expected to be out of the area by early Friday morning. Please take time to review the following information and adjust your plans accordingly.

To prioritize the safety of our faculty, staff, and students, the ACOM campus will be closed for business on Thursday, September 26 and Friday, September 27. Your safety is our top priority, and we ask everyone to take the necessary precautions during this time. Please be advised conditions could change rapidly during a storm. Monitor local weather sources.

---

Severe Weather Alert:

The National Weather Service is forecasting significant weather impacts for our area starting tomorrow afternoon and continuing through Friday morning. This may include:

• Heavy Rain with three to six inches forecasted.
• High Winds of 58 to 73 mph.
• A Flood Watch for low-lying areas.
• The possibility of Tornadoes.

Precautionary Measures for Thursday and Friday:

To prioritize the safety of our faculty, staff, and students, ACOM will be closed for business on both days. Please note the following:

• Faculty will convert in-person curricular events to virtual, non-mandatory events. Students, please check the announcements section of Canvas for specific course-related updates.
• OMS III and OMS IV students at their core sites should follow the protocols issued by their respective core sites. Please stay in contact with your core site coordinators for any updates or changes.
• COMAT exams for OMS III and IV students will still be given on Friday by their core sites. However, if you are in an affected area, please monitor communications from your core site coordinator for exam cancellation and rescheduling.
• Faculty and staff are expected to work virtually on Friday unless they are experiencing power outages or other weather-related issues. If possible, please communicate with your supervisor if you are unable to work remotely.
• We MAY make access to the campus available on Friday, September 27, depending on weather conditions and facility safety. Updates will be provided as the situation evolves.

Local Shelters in Dothan, AL:

If you are in need of shelter, please consider the following locations in the Dothan area:

1. Westgate Church of Christ
   619 Westgate Parkway
   Phone: (334) 793-2280
2. Memphis Baptist Church
   4595 Eddins Road
   Phone: (334) 677-5387

Please contact these locations ahead of time for availability and shelter-specific guidelines.

---

Important Contacts and Resources:

• For weather or safety questions, please contact MaryAnn May, PhD, director of Campus Safety, at .
• If you haven’t downloaded the AlertMedia app to your phone, please contact Information Systems at ext. 4141 or email them at .
• For safety precautions during severe weather, click on https://www.weather.gov/ama/severesafetytips
• For weather updates in your specific area, visit https://www.weather.gov/