PENSACOLA — Evacuation orders for coastal and low-lying areas have been issued for counties across the Florida Panhandle over the past two days as powerful Hurricane Isaias, fueled by warm Gulf waters, intensified.
Some of those ordered to evacuate were University of West Florida students living in on-campus dormitories in Pensacola. UWF’s houses about 1,500 students amid a student body of around 15,000.
UWF sent an email after 8 p.m. Wednesday telling students the campus, including dorms, would close Thursday at 7 p.m. Students were required to unplug their refrigerators and other electronics.
Students with “no safe alternative” were told a UWF shelter of last resort “may” be available. Those who wanted to take advantage of the offer were told they had a one-hour window to do so Friday morning.
The email warned, though, that it was an “emergency safety option” and “not a traditional shelter or an alternative housing arrangement.” Conditions would be basic and “potentially uncomfortable.”
Students were told they had to prepare for three days in the shelter and to bring their own bedding, toiletries, drinking water and nonperishable food. No pets would be welcome. And if students left the shelter, even for a short time, they wouldn’t be allowed back in.
Twenty-eight students were admitted to the shelter, UWF told the Phoenix Friday. The Phoenix was not allowed inside the facility to speak to any of the students.
Parental criticism
UWF’s action spurred criticism from some parents, who, on a Facebook page, voiced disappointment the university did not provide information sooner.
The Phoenix attempted to reach several parents who chimed in on the post for comment but was not successful.
Kristi Foley Kervaski, a Santa Rosa Beach resident and mother of a UWF student, told the Phoenix in a telephone interview Friday that she was touched by some of the parents’ comments on the group page.
“That’s why I opened my door, because my mom’s in New York and she’s freaking out and I’m 53 years old,” Kervaski said. “So, I can only imagine someone that doesn’t live in Florida sending their baby off to another state, and then having the fear of not knowing. I think that’s probably the worst: it’s the not knowing what to expect inside of a hurricane.”
Kervaski directed her son, Mason Kervaski, to make clear to other students that his family would take in students.
No one took Kristi or Mason Kervaski up on their offers.
Good Samaritans
It wasn’t just families of UWF students offering temporary shelter on the UWF FB page.
Olive Baptist Church coordinated a network of members to take in otherwise homeless UWF students. The gym at the church is host to power line workers coming to town.
Associate Pastor Tim Hunter told the Phoenix the church has banded together through its student ministry and older members to house students who needed a place to go.
Hunter said the church was working with the university to direct students to shelter, too, if the university shelter doesn’t work.
“For the most part, it seems like, within network, a relationship, students have been able to find housing if needed, so a lot of it will be organic, but I’m able and willing to help as students reach out,” Hunter said.
Hunter said the church’s membership and leadership is “ready to respond and love on the community and serve as needed.”
Pictures of the shelter provided by UWF show sandwiches and chips available.
The campus is to remain closed at least through Monday.
