LAMAR UNIVERSITY HURRICANE PLAN

Students Living on Campus

• Students will receive information regarding storm preparations and evacuations (if necessary) from their Community Leader, Resident Director, or Assistant Director through floor meetings and/or email/texts. Information can be accessed via cell phone (if registered) through the University Notification System and the University Emergency Website.
• Evacuation orders will be issued by the University President’s Office. This information will be relayed to students via email, phone calls, and/or text messages. Residence Life Staff will notify resident of an evacuation order throughout all halls. All rooms will be inspected for residence during a door to door walk-through. Students residing on campus must complete the sign-out process, as established by Residence Life, prior to evacuating the campus.
• Students are advised to contact their parent(s) or guardian(s) upon evacuation with their current location and once more to communicate their current status. Note: Parents should not contact the University as it will be more difficult as Lamar is preparing for evacuation.

International Students Living Off Campus

• International students living off campus are encouraged to contact International Student Services to request evacuation transportation as quickly as possible. Transportation will be limited and evacuation locations vary. Have an alternate plan of evacuation, if necessary.

Important

• Lamar will not provide emergency shelter on campus during a hurricane or storm that requires a mandatory evacuation.
• Students are strongly encouraged to take personal vehicles and/or ride with friends to evacuate from Lamar University. The University is not responsible for vehicles left on campus.
• Students evacuating with the University will need to bring a pillow, blanket, towel and sheets. Any food obtained at the evacuation facility’s dining services will be charged to the student’s account. Please note sleeping arrangements may include resting on a gym floor. Additionally, electricity may be lost due to the storm. Conditions may be uncomfortable.
• Students are allowed to bring one bag for all personal belongings. This bag should be a size that sits comfortably on the student’s lap. Residence Life staff will accompany students to the evacuation facility and manage all arrangements while there.
• No alcohol or pets allowed. Students are expected to adhere to the Lamar University Student Code of Conduct at all times. All violations will be reported and managed by the Office of Student Conduct and Care Services.

PACKING TIPS FOR EVACUATION

Please pack wisely. You may consider the following:

• Prescription and any over the counter medications
• Passport
• Credit/Debit Cards and/or Cash
• Driver’s License
• Laptop, Cellphone, iPod or other small electronic devices
• Sleeping bag, blanket, pillow, towel, sheets
• Toiletries – soap, toothbrush/toothpaste, shampoo, toilet paper, deodorant, etc.
• Three days of clothing and comfortable shoes

BEFORE LEAVING

• Students should make sure to have adequate cash and resources, as ATM availability may be limited.
• Students should empty and clean dorm refrigerator of food. Food left in refrigerators is likely to spoil if/when electricity becomes unavailable due to the storm. Damages due to spoiled food will be the responsibility of the student. Subsequent charges will reflect on the student’s account for the purchase of a new refrigerator for damages due to spoiled food.
• Items left in the dorms should be secured and moved away from windows and off floors (in case of flooding). All electronic devices and equipment should be unplugged from electrical wall outlets. Doors and windows should be closed and lock upon departure.
• Students driving personal vehicles should make sure to have a full tank of gas prior to departure.

INFORMATION ANNOUNCING EVACUATION

The media will be asked to announce both the cancellation and the resumption of classes. A voicemail number for Lamar University is available to you for up-to-date information regarding the re-opening of campus. Students will be allowed to return to campus when the Lamar University deems it safe. The voicemail number is 409-880-7011 and is available to you twenty-four hours a day.

Beaumont, TX Evacuation Routes

• Beaumont, TX to Houston, TX take Interstate 10 West
• Beaumont, TX to San Antonio, TX take Interstate 10 West
• Beaumont, TX to Dallas, TX take Interstate 10 West to Interstate 45 North
• Beaumont, TX to Bryan, Waco, College Station, and Austin, TX take Interstate 10 West to US 290 West
• Beaumont, TX to Nacogdoches, TX take US 69, 96, and 287 North

Texas Department of Transportation Evacuation Map

Beaumont, TX Evacuation and Assembly Sites

An evacuation site is a meeting location for Beaumont residents who need public transportation during an evacuation and has registered with 2-1-1 for public transportation. At this location, residents will be checked in and bused to public shelters outside of Jefferson County.

• Westbrook High School 8750 Phelan Blvd
• Lucas Elementary 1750 East Lucas Drive
• Dunbar Elementary 825 Jackson Street
• Ozen High School 3443 Fannett Road
• Guess Elementary 8055 Voth Road
• Central High School 88 Jaguar Street
• Civic Center 701 Main Street (Medical Only)
• French Elementary 3525 Cleveland
• MLK Middle School 1400 Avenue A
• Pietzch-MacArthur 4301Highland Avenue
• Smith Middle School 4415 Concord Road
• Magnolia Park Pavilion Linson Street & Weiss Street

AFTER A HURRICANE

• Continue to follow evacuation procedures and important emergency information from the local officials such as the Lamar University Police Department, Beaumont Police Department, and Beaumont Fire and Rescue Department.
• Use caution when returning to campus as property may be damaged and conditions may be hazardous.
• When navigating an effected area, dress appropriately wearing closed-toed shoes, long sleeved shirts, pants, and gloves. Avoid standing water as it may be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines. Remember to avoid drinking tap water until emergency officials announce that it is safe to do so.

Transportation and Weather Directory Resources

• For road conditions on state highways, call 1-800-452-9292.
• For emergencies, call 9-1-1.
• For information regarding evacuation routes, shelters and special needs transportation, call 2-1-1.
• The Texas Department of Transportation has hurricane information, evacuation maps and up-to-date road conditions available on their website www.txdot.gov/travel/hurricane.htm.
• Statewide Highway Conditions can be found on the Texas Department of Transportation website (www.drivetexas.org) or by phone, toll free at (800) 452-9292.

Emergency Alert Stations: Houston - KTRH 740 AM, San Antonio - WOAI 1200 AM, Dallas - WBAP 820 AM

Information for when to return home can be found at State of Texas Online

Texas Department of Public Safety 

Texas Division of Emergency Management

American Red Cross of Southeast & Deep East Texas: 1-800-RED-CROSS (733-2767) or 409-832-1644

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): 1-800-621-FEMA (3362)

KLVI Radio 560 AM

Beaumont Salvation Army: 409-896-2361

Stranded Motorist Helpline: Stranded motorists may call 1-800-525-5555

City and County Emergency Offices 

Beaumont
Tim Ocnaschek, Emergency Manager
409-980-7280
3-1-1 Service Help Line: 409-980-8311
Beaumont ISD: 409-899-9972

Groves
Dale Jackson, Emergency Manager
409-962-4460
City Hall: 409-962-4471
Fire: 409-962-4460

Nederland
Gary Collins, Emergency Manager
409-723-1531
Police Department, 24 Hours: 409-722-4965
Nederland ISD: 409-724-2391

Port Arthur
John Owens, Emergency Manager
409-983-8616
Police: 409-983-8600
Port Arthur ISD: 409-989-6222 

Port Neches
Steve Curran, Emergency Management Coordinator
409-719-4258
Police Department: 409-722-1424
Port Neches ISD: 409-722-3351

Hardin County
Theresa Wigley, Emergency Manager
409-246-5119
Hardin County Sheriff’s Department: 409-246-5100

Jefferson County
Greg Fountain, Emergency Management Coordinator
409-835-8757
24-Hour Emergency Information Line: 409-835-8411

Orange County
Steven Brint Carlton, Director of Emergency Management
409-882-7070
Orange County Sheriff's Department: 409-883-2612

Downloadable Guides and Information Sites

• National Weather Service, Southern Region - www.weather.gov/srh/
• The Weather Channel - www.weather.com
• National Weather Service - www.weather.gov

Transportation Directory

Greyhound Passenger Bus
1-800-231-2222

American Airlines
1-800-433-7300