Hurricane Information

Atlantic Hurricane Season: June 1 – November 30

Hurricane Milton

UPDATED: Oct. 11, 2024 1:00pm ET

Valencia College will reopen on Saturday, Oct. 12 with all scheduled classes and weekend services resuming.

VC Safety App Valencia Alerts

Call 211 for Help

211 connects you to expert, caring help. Every call is completely confidential.

United Way of Central Florida

Help Starts Here

Community Partners

Valencia College closely monitors extreme weather with the health and safety of our students and staff as a priority. In collaboration with our key community partners–Orange County, Osceola County, LYNX transit, University of Central Florida and others–we make decisions about closing and reopening in a thoughtful, timely manner.

Here are some ways to get prepared for the hurricane season and learn more about our communication efforts if a hurricane arises.

Where can I get sand bags?

Orange County

Osceola County

Be Prepared

FEMA

FEMA hurricane preparedness. Learn how FEMA works.

Learn More

Build a Kit

View a recommended list of items needed in a home emergency kit.

Learn More

Get Ready

Are you ready for the hurricane season? Learn hurricane terms and more ways to prepare.

Learn More

Please follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram or Threads for the most current information.

Valencia College Safety App

The Valencia College Safety app allows students and staff to simultaneously call and send their location to security in case of an emergency on campus. It also offers other safety features, such as an emergency contacts list, a place to report tips, campus maps and more.

Sign Up for Alerts

Valencia Alerts

Time-sensitive and Emergency Notifications

Students and employees can receive emergency notifications via text or email. Log into Atlas, on the My Atlas page click Valencia College Alerts.

How to manage your Valencia Alerts

Orange County

Orange County Emergency Alerting System

Osceola County

Osceola County Emergency Management

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions about assignments, deadlines and campus operations.

Question	Answer
What should I do about assignments that are due while the college is closed?	Students will not be expected to submit academic assignments during the official college closure. Students who have the time and ability to complete their coursework are encouraged to do so. Upon returning to class, students are advised to check with their professors for guidance on deadline extensions.
Where am I supposed to get an update on my class or course?	The college has asked professors to post an update in their Canvas courses which includes the closure dates and that class assignments will be due after the college reopens.
What about online classes?	When the college cancels classes, online classes are canceled too. Students who want to work on assignments during the closure may still do so; Canvas will remain active for their use.
How should I contact my professor or instructor?	You may contact your professor or instructor through Canvas.
I live in UnionWest and am trying to figure out if I should stay here during the hurricane.	Students who live on campus are encouraged to stay at safe off-campus locations, if possible. Students who choose to stay will be able to remain in their rooms.
I’m a UnionWest resident and am staying here during the hurricane. How can I get food?	We advise you to stock up on food for the closure. You can take a free LYNX Lymmo bus to the Publix by Lake Eola (at the intersection of Central Boulevard and Lake Avenue).
Can I shelter at the campus?	The college does not serve as a shelter during hurricanes. If you need to find a shelter, please visit these websites for a list of shelters: Orange County Shelters Osceola County Shelters
Can I park my car in the parking garage on East Campus?	Sorry, you cannot. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office uses the Valencia College East Campus parking garage to stage vehicles and officers during a storm so they can respond quickly to emergencies in the surrounding area.
Will LYNX buses be operating?	Check the LYNX website for their operating schedule.
Where can I get sand bags?	Locations where sandbags are available: Orange County Osceola County