Category Archives: Inclement Weather

Inclement Weather, Uncategorized

UPDATED – Change to faculty and staff closing procedure due to inclement weather

In the Fall of 2013, the College adopted a new closing procedure for faculty and staff.  If the College closes early due to inclement weather, faculty and staff will be requested to leave 30 minutes after the time students will be dismissed.  This will help to facilitate an orderly departure from the buildings and campuses.

An example of a message that may go out would be:  “NOVA is closing early today due to inclement weather.  Students will be dismissed at 1:30 pm and faculty and staff will be dismissed at 2pm.”

For more information on NOVA’s closing information including where to go to find out if the College is closed or delayed, click here.

Emergency, Inclement Weather, Preparedness

How to Stay Safe in a Heat Wave

The summer heat has arrived in full force this week in Northern Virginia.  With temperatures expected to be in the upper 90s to near or at 100, it is important to know how to keep yourself and others safe when outdoors.  Below you will find some important information from our Safety Office on how you can prevent as well as how to recognize the symptoms of heat-related illnesses.  We encourage you to try to stay inside and hydrated as much as possible as long as we are stuck in this heat wave.

Heat Stress occurs when the body is unable to cool itself by sweating, several heat-induced illnesses such as heat stress or heat exhaustion and the more severe heat stroke can occur, and can result in death.

Factors Leading to Heat Stress May Include:

  • High temperature and humidity
  • Direct sun or heat
  • Limited air movement
  • Physical exertion
  • Poor physical condition
  • Some medicines
  • Inadequate tolerance for hot workplaces

Ways to Prevent Heat Stress Include:

  • Know the signs/symptoms of heat-related illnesses
  • Monitor yourself and co-workers
  • Block out direct sun or other heat sources
  • Use cooling fans/air-conditioning
  • Rest regularly
  • Drink lots of water; about 1 cup every 15 minutes
  • Wear lightweight, light colored, and loose-fitting clothes
  • Avoid alcohol, caffeinated drinks, or heavy meals

Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion Include:

  • Headaches
  • Dizziness
  • Lightheadedness or fainting
  • Weakness and moist skin
  • Mood changes such as irritability or confusion
  • Upset stomach or vomiting

Symptoms of Heat Stroke Include:

  • Dry, hot skin with no sweating
  • Mental confusion or losing consciousness
  • Seizures or convulsions

What to Do for Heat-Related Illness:

  • Call 911 (or local emergency number) at once
  • While waiting for help to arrive:
    • Move to a cool, shaded area
    • Loosen or remove heavy clothing
    • Provide cool drinking water
    • Fan and mist the person with water
Inclement Weather, Preparedness

Do you know what to do when severe weather hits?

Here we are again…  the beginning of the severe weather season.  As the meteorologists contemplate whether or not Northern Virginia is going to get hit by severe storms or even another derecho, we encourage you to make certain that you are prepared for whatever happens.  Familiarize yourself with NOVA’s Severe Weather Shelter Areas.  These areas are marked by green Severe Weather Shelter Area signs indicating that the space is designated as a safe area inside a building and away from windows.  You may be instructed to go to one of these areas in the event that there is a Tornado Warning issued or some other severe weather that requires you to get to a safe room.

Some tips for severe weather include:

  •  If a tornado WARNING is received, seek shelter immediately in a severe weather shelter area or go to an area that is in an interior hallway or room; at the lowest level in the building; and/or an area free of windows or glass.
  • Protect your body from flying debris with furniture and/or sturdy equipment.
  • Use your arms to protect your head and neck.

FEMA has several resources for aiding you to be prepared for severe weather at work, school, and/or home.  You can find out more on severe weather, tornadoes, and flooding at their website.

In the event that there is widespread damage or power outages, like after last summer’s derecho, please check NOVA’s homepage for status updates in case the College is closed or delayed.  You can also find more detailed information related to where any potential closings or delays will be announced by visiting OEMP’s website.

Inclement Weather

Inclement weather information

As the weeks go by, we have been wondering if winter would actually hit us here in Northern VA.  After all, even though we didn’t get the 70 degree weather initially forecasted last weekend, we did make it up to 60 – something that is reserved for an early spring day, not an early January day.  However, reality is about to set in with a long stretch of cold weather and, yes, the ‘chance’ for snow. 

In the event we get inclement weather this week or three weeks from now, please visit the OEMP website to find a list of television and radio stations that the College will use for any potential delays or closures.  You can also visit the College’s homepage for up-to-date information about the College’s status.