President Tate's Saturday Message: 'As Prepared as Possible' Hours Before Ida's Cat 4 Strike on Louisiana

Dear LSU Family, As Hurricane Ida rapidly approaches the Louisiana coastline, please know that LSU is as prepared as possible. Because of our location, we are no strangers to hurricanes and how to deal with them. We have an Emergency Operations Center, a certified police force of more than 70 officers, and time-tested procedures in place to ensure the safety of students in our residence halls. I am asking off-campus residents and employees not to come to campus until LSU reopens, unless you are essential personnel and have been instructed by your supervisor. After the hurricane, we will assess the campus and update our community about when we plan to reopen. Please take care of yourselves, your families, and your loved ones. Sincerely, William F. Tate IV, President.

LSU ALERT: Hurricane Ida has caused significant damage and power outages across the Baton Rouge area. The LSU campus is closed through Friday, September 3. All classes are canceled. Off-campus residents, do not return to campus until further notice. Power is out across most of campus; emergency generators are operating in residence halls. Students sheltering in place: dining halls will provide hot meals on a delayed schedule. Updates: lsu.edu/oep.

I want to ask all students who evacuated -- please do not rush back to campus. Power, water, and fuel are limited across south Louisiana. Returning before utilities are restored will create unnecessary hardship for you and our community. We are working to reopen the campus as soon as conditions allow, and I will communicate with you directly when that time comes. To the students sheltering with us on campus: thank you for your patience. Our staff has worked tirelessly through this storm. Stay safe. -- President Tate.