Meredith College Offers Support After Hurricane Florence

Before, during, and after Hurricane Florence, administrators, faculty and staff provided support to students and others affected by the storm.

Most of Meredith students left campus to be with family and other friends away from the hurricane. The College canceled classes and routine operations as of 5 p.m. on Wednesday, September 12, and reopened on Tuesday, September 18. Essential staff in security, housing, dining, grounds, maintenance, housekeeping, and other critical operations remained in place during the storm to address any damages or emergencies. Counseling, health services, and the chaplain’s offices were on-call to help anyone with difficulties.

Meredith sustained almost no damage during the storm’s rains and high winds. The campus did not lose power, dining services were offered throughout the storm, and the library was open.

After the storm, attention turned to supporting those who were affected by Hurricane Florence, including Meredith students and the wider community. The Counseling Center, College Chaplain, and the Dean of Students were among those assisting students.

A drive for the Daisy Trade, Meredith’s on-campus food bank, was launched to support students and others in the College community. Another supply drive supporting the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina has also been held to collect food and household supplies. Students and other community members completed volunteer shifts at the Food Bank, helping package supplies for hurricane-impacted areas of the state. This drive was coordinated in collaboration with Meredith’s Student Government Association and the Chaplain’s Office. Meredith’s Office of Alumnae Relations also sponsored a supply drive as a way for alumnae to participate. Items can continue to be donated through October 2, 2018.