Harvey has been upgraded to a Category 1 hurricane. Harvey is predicted to strengthen by the time it reaches land, with high probability of reaching Category 3. Rain is expected to begin by late morning on Friday, with significant rainfall accumulation and potentially high wind by Friday night. The Crisis Management Team will continue to monitor the storm's path. The city of Houston is not currently recommending evacuation.

Rice will close at 3 p.m. Friday, so any classes scheduled for 3 p.m. or later Friday will not be held. Nonessential staff will be dismissed at 1 p.m. Employees who choose not to come to work Friday will use benefit time. The university will remain closed all day Saturday. The Crisis Management Team will announce the university's operating status for Sunday and Monday via email and emergency.rice.edu after reviewing weather and road conditions.

The shuttle service for students in the Rice Graduate Apartments and the Rice Village Apartments will run Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. so residents can stock up on groceries.

Please check your email and emergency.rice.edu for updates over the weekend. Stay safe and please do not risk traveling in potentially dangerous weather conditions.

Jerusha Kasch
Director of institutional crisis management