Sonal Patel
Contributing Writer
The last week in July means that Houstonians have not only reached the heart of a sweltering summer, but also a traditionally deadly month with hurricane season and severe droughts.
According to the National Weather Service, the month of July in 1995 was the deadliest on record, with 948 weather-related fatalities nationwide. August 1995 came in a distant second, with 171 deaths caused by storms and high temperatures.
What is more, eight of the 20 most disastrous hurricanes this century have occurred on the Gulf Coast, making Houston a potential target for more.
This year's weather has not yet included any major storms aside from those statewide in late May 1997, which caused more than $2 million in damage and 27 fatalities.
The last time the University of Houston canceled classes due to inclement weather was in January 1997, when low temperatures brought ice and snow flurries to the Houston area.
However, the Federal Emergency Management Agency expects thunderstorms to cause hurricane-inducing winds, heavy rains and flooding in Houston this summer due to the drought and unusually high temperatures.
Hurricane season began June 1 and lasts through the end of November, well into the fall semester.
In light of that, the UH emergency communications department has drawn up several guidelines for weather-closing processes that could affect both students and employees.
During severe weather, students and staff should first consult the local media, which will frequently be updated by UH administration regarding canceled classes or other action.
The media outlets that will carry such information are all local network television stations (channels 2, 8, 11, 13 and 26) and radio stations KUHF (88.7), KHMX (96.5), KRBE (104.1), KQQK (106.5), KTBZ (107.5) and KTRH (740 AM).
Typically, if hazardous weather conditions develop overnight, the decision to close the university is made by 5 a.m. so local media can announce the closure on the morning newscasts.
If conditions necessitating a closure develop later, the decision to close the school is usually made by 2 p.m.
UH's internal communication departments will also inform employees via personal e-mail through an emergency listserv. Employees are also advised to check their voice mail for updated information. Department leaders will be expected to communicate with their respective departments to ensure that updates or "return-to-work" messages are received.
If they cannot receive information any other way, students can telephone the UH switchboard at (713) 743-1000 to hear recorded updates for incoming callers in the event of a university closing.