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Hurricane Ike approaching, residents be advised

Commerce – The University Police Department is ensuring that safety is a top priority as Texas A&M University-Commerce prepares to receive up to 136 hurricane evacuees.

Officers will be present at the shelter area around the clock while evacuees are on campus to ensure the security of the facility, as well as the safety of evacuees, A&M-Commerce students, faculty, and staff.

The UPD would like to remind everyone that the remnants of Hurricane Ike are predicted to hit the Commerce area on Saturday during the afternoon or evening hours.

The area will be under a tropical storm wind watch beginning at 6 a.m. on Saturday. Additionally, the area could see from 4 to 6 inches of rain.

This could cause minor flooding to local area roads and drivers are urged not to drive into standing water. The UPD encourages everyone to purchase and monitor a NOAA weather radio for up-to-date weather information.

There is a possibility of tornado activity throughout Northeast Texas. In the event of a reported tornado, the university and the City of Commerce have a tornado warning system. Everyone is encouraged to become familiar with what the warning siren sounds like.

For more information, visit http://www.tamu-commerce.edu/upd/severeWeather.html.

In the event of an emergency, warnings will be issued by PAWS (Pride Alert Warning System).

University Police Lt. Jason Bone can be contacted at jason_bone@tamu-commerce.edu and 903-886-5866.

Commerce Emergency Operations Center is activated and fully staffed on a 24 hour basis. Crews will be available to respond to emergency situations as they arise. The Emergency Operations Center can be reaced at 903-886-1180. All other emergencies will need to dial 9-1-1.