Many Florida colleges and universities sustained significant structural damage from Hurricane Ian, with some unsure of when they will be able to return to normal operations.
Bethune-Cookman University (BCU) in Daytona Beach was hit particularly hard. The university sits right in the center of a region the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) designated as a “special flood hazard area” for Hurricane Ian. They were right.
BCU suffered widespread power outages, extensive flooding, and damage to historic buildings and facilities on campus. The destruction was such that face-to-face classes were canceled until October 17th, more than two weeks after Hurricane Ian made landfall in the state.
In addition to classes, residential students were also affected, with BCU dorms closed for water mitigation, roof repair, debris removal, and other necessary measures.
Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) also canceled classes until October 10, following the storm. FGCU university president, Michael Martin, said in a statement that the school needed time to inspect the extent of the damage to make sure the campus was safe to return to.
South Carolina colleges including Georgia Southern University, Duke University, and University of South Carolina preemptively canceled classes in advance of Hurricane Ian’s arrival.
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