Nathaniel Puente 
EDINBURG – Hurricane season is in its stride. Tropical storms, flooding, and hurricanes are a threat to everyone living on the Gulf Coast. Although the deadly Hurricane Dorian and Tropical Storm Fernand spared the RGV, the next cyclone might not and UTRGV must have procedures in place to protect its students.
“What we typically do on our end for housing,” said Housing Coordinator Sergio Martinez, “is identify which students in case of inclement weather would need transportation to an off-site location,” continued Martinez.
The Housing Department works diligently with the Office of Emergency Preparedness to ensure the safety of everyone involved.
“Safety is our top priority,” commented Martinez. “We want to make sure all of our residents are comfortable and safe,” asserted Martinez.
Students living on campus must be prepared for possible flooding. “We have had some serious flooding issues,” said Village Resident Assistant Analyssa Gonzalez. “For the most part, once the sandbags are there nothing really comes into the apartments themselves.”
“My advice to residents would be to be aware of our protocols,” stated Village Resident Assistant Irma Castillo. “Put valuable items in a safe place,” she finished.
Although natural disasters can be uncertain and scary, the Housing Department and Office of Emergency Preparedness have students’ best interest in mind.
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