August 18, 2023
Dear USC Community,
With reports about Hurricane Hilary expected to arrive in the Los Angeles area this weekend, I wanted to assure you that the university has plans in place to respond to emergencies, including ones related to weather. We are closely monitoring the path of the storm, and our critical response teams are actively preparing in advance of when it arrives in the Los Angeles area.
Facilities Planning & Management is clearing storm drains, addressing known roof issues, ensuring generators are fueled and ready, staging sandbags in potential flood risk areas on our campuses, and providing additional staffing to cover both the University Park Campus and Health Sciences Campus.
The Department of Public Safety is prepared to systematically assess all areas of both campuses during the storm to identify hazards such as flooding and downed power lines and assist in mitigation efforts with campus partners.
Fire Safety & Emergency Planning is actively monitoring the storm, and it will activate the Emergency Operations Center team if needed.
USC Housing is following standard practices for severe weather, which include deploying floor mats in high traffic areas, ensuring storm drains are cleared, securing windows, and checking roof drainage areas. They will send out an email and text alert reminding students of the storm and to close their windows and secure their belongings if they leave. Additionally, they will have customer service and custodial staff on-site this weekend to assist students as needed.
We will communicate with the campus community through our TrojansAlert notification system and other forms of communication if there are changes in schedules for activities or classes as a result of the storm.
Sincerely,
Dr. Erroll G. Southers
Associate Senior Vice President, Safety & Risk Assurance