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University Communications
Gallaudet takes prompt action following earthquake...
A strong earthquake that originated about 40 miles northwest of Richmond, Va., at 1:51 p.m. on Tuesday, August 23 sent tremors measuring a magnitude of 5.8 from New York to North Carolina. It was the strongest earthquake to hit the East Coast since 1944, and although no major damage or injuries were reported, the incident caused a considerable amount of apprehension among a regional population of Americans who, unlike their counterparts on the West Coast, are unaccustomed to the sensation of the earth moving beneath their feet.
Calm and order was quickly restored on the Gallaudet campus following the initial shock caused by close to a minute of shaking that accompanied the earthquake. The Department of Public Safety took prompt action to safeguard the campus community, evacuating buildings and directing faculty, staff, teachers, and students to Hotchkiss Field, and the University kept the community informed of the situation through regular and frequent updates by campus email, the Gallaudet ALERT System, and postings on the University’s home page.
While the community was gathered on the football field, campus officials inspected all structures and found evidence of minor damage to several buildings. People were asked to use caution and to adhere to the warnings designated by the yellow tape and safety cones at the damaged areas.
To ensure the safety of the campus community, President Hurwitz closed the University for the remainder of the day to all non-essential staff and faculty and non-residential students. A message was sent out later reporting that MSSD and University residence halls had been inspected by structural engineers and determined safe for students to re-enter, and the cafeterias at both schools remained open for extended hours. For students needing additional support, the Mental Health Center provided walk-in services.
Later on Tuesday, a message was posted stating that the University had returned to normal operations. A list was provided of important steps to follow in the event of future earthquakes:
Read more about Gallaudet’s communication in response to the earthquake.
March 25, 2024
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March 21, 2024