Hurricane FAQs: What to know for hurricane season

The 2026 hurricane season began on June 1. As peak storm activity approaches later in the summer, Tulane’s Office of Emergency Preparedness and Response expects all Tulane faculty, staff and students to review their personal evacuation plans and familiarize themselves with the shelter-in-place procedures.  

Below, Executive Director of Emergency Preparedness and Response Jarrod Sullivan answers common questions about evacuation planning and sheltering in place in the event of severe weather.

What should the Tulane community know about creating and following a personal evacuation plan?  

Sullivan: All faculty, staff and students must have a personal evacuation plan that they can implement without reliance on the university and will be expected to activate it when instructed to do so by the university.  

As you create your personal evacuation plan, consider where you will go and how you will get there. If you are driving, consider taking friends and roommates with you. Never leave service animals, emotional support animals, pets or valuable items behind when you evacuate — they should always go with you.  

The university will run shuttles to the New Orleans airport when possible, allowing students who are flying out of town to reach the airport. Students who cannot activate their personal evacuation plans may, to the extent possible, receive evacuation assistance from the university if Tulane issues an evacuation order. If the university instead shelters in place, students may still choose to leave on their own.  

University-assisted evacuation is only available when Tulane declares an evacuation. Priority will be given to on-campus students with financial need, disabilities, access and functional needs and international students.  

More information related to your personal evacuation plan can be found at emergencyprep.tulane.edu.  

What does it mean to shelter in place?  

Sullivan: Sheltering in place occurs when Tulane closes campus because of a weather-related event or other emergency that does not require evacuation. During these situations, entry to university campuses may become restricted, some offices and facilities may operate on modified schedules and residential students may need to remain inside their residence halls as a precaution. The university does not provide on-campus shelter for off-campus students, faculty or staff. Individuals who do not live on campus are expected to activate their personal hurricane plans.

Dining services at the Malkin Sacks Commons will resume as soon as conditions allow staff to safely return to operations. Once reopened, the dining hall will operate on an adjusted schedule until normal hours can resume. Visit MyDiningHub for updated dining hours and service information.

What should students expect to be served from Tulane Hospitality during shelter in place? How do students get food/water?  

Sullivan: Tulane Hospitality distributes meals to residential students prior to the storm’s arrival. Food packages include two days of shelf-stable items in case weather conditions prevent students from leaving their residence halls. Housing and Residence Life shares pickup locations and distribution schedules with each residence hall.  

In anticipating a potential boil water advisory, bottled water is distributed to residence hall area desks. Housing and Residence Life will communicate when water is available.  

What should the Tulane community have at their houses/apartments to prepare them to shelter in place?  

Sullivan: You should keep nonperishable snacks and meals, bottled water, a portable weather radio, a first-aid kit, necessary medications and flashlights with batteries or glow sticks with you in preparation for a storm. Keep phones and laptops charged ahead of possible outages and have cash available in case card payments become unavailable.  

The city and state provide detailed preparedness tools and guidance, including resources from the New Orleans Office of Coordination and Emergency Management.  

Is there a list of important contacts/phone numbers for the Tulane community to call during a shelter in place if they have questions?  

Sullivan: Faculty, staff, students and family members can contact the Tulane University Call Center at 504-865-5000 and select the “Call Center” option.  

In the event of a severe weather event, additional details will be posted on https://tulane.edu/emergency. Students should also ensure they have emergency contacts readily available, including the Tulane University Police Department at 504-865-5381, in case urgent issues arise during a shelter-in-place period.  

For updates related to campus operations, building access and severe weather conditions, monitor your Tulane email, text messages, tulane.edu/emergency and institutional social channels like Instagram, Facebook, X, Threads and LinkedIn. Questions or preparedness concerns can be directed to emergencyprep@tulane.edu.