Dear Howard University Community, 

Municipal and federal weather service agencies have elevated their projections for severe weather to extreme flooding, especially for coastal areas, the District of Columbia and the city of Alexandria, VA. 

The safety and well-being of our students, faculty, and staff are our top priorities, and after careful consideration of the worsening weather conditions, we believe it is in the collective best interest to move to remote operations starting by 4 p.m. 

Classes scheduled after 4 p.m. will be held virtually, unless a professor announces a cancellation. No students or non-essential personnel are expected to be on campus in non-residential spaces after 4 p.m. All extra-curricular activities also must be held remotely or cancelled. We kindly ask everyone to leave campus as soon as possible and exercise extreme caution while commuting, as the roads and pathways may be affected by flooding.   

• WHAT: For the Coastal Flood Advisory, up to one half foot of inundation above ground level expected in low lying areas due to tidal flooding. For the Coastal Flood Warning, one to two feet of inundation above ground level expected in low lying areas due to tidal flooding.   

• WHERE: Shoreline in the District of Columbia, Arlington County, and the city of Alexandria, VA. 

• WHEN: For the Coastal Flood Advisory, until 10 p.m. EST this evening, especially around the time of high tide. For the Coastal Flood Warning, from 10 p.m. this evening to 10 a.m. EST Wednesday, especially around the time of high tide. 

• IMPACTS: The unprotected area on the Southwest Waterfront is expected to flood. Water is expected to approach parts of the Hains Point Loop Road, but it will likely be closed. Water is also expected to approach buildings near King Street and Union Street. 

• ADDITIONAL DETAILS: Tides will be up to 4 feet above normal. The next high tides at Alexandria are at 6:29 p.m. and 7:07 a.m. The next high tides at Washington Channel are at 6:11 p.m. and 6:49 a.m.

While we know this may inconvenience students and employees already on or currently traveling to campus, we are in concert with federal agencies and other area schools also closing this afternoon. 

Researchers should complete or properly save any projects planned for tonight and tomorrow. As local power outages are possible, employees should manually save all important documentation. You are also asked to shut down or unplug any sensitive or essential equipment that may be impacted by surges in power.  

We will continue to monitor the forecasts and provide necessary updates on any operational or schedule changes. For further updates and information, please stay tuned to your University email, official social media channels, and the University website. We appreciate your patience and cooperation during this severe weather activity and our response protocol.  

For more information or to submit a campus safety concern, please contact the Department of Public Safety (DPS) at 202-806-1100.  

Please stay safe as you commute home.   

Tashni-Ann Dubroy, Ph.D., MBA
Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer
Howard University