Why ILCC Winter Weather is Important

Morgan Larson, Writer

There… it’s happened. Our first snowfall. Sort of. Anyway, crazy as it sounds, many people can forget their ways when they see the first few rounds of snow. So, how does Iowa Lakes Community College (ILCC) keep up with these changing weather conditions to know what is best for both students and staff? ILCC’s process of determining everyone’s safety with impending winter weather is vital. Particularly due to those slippery, icy, and white-out times, in which ILCC students and staff may be seeing all too soon.

Delaine Hiney, Executive Director Facilities Management, Environmental Health & Safety, Auxiliary Services at ILCC is the one behind the final decisions, changes, and alert messages towards ILCC’s Winter Weather openings/closings. As all ILCC students and staff know, the college has the “Iowa Lakes Alerts”. These alerts send important messages that are either sent to their phones or emails.

Due to the changing weather, the college is getting more sensitive to weather alerts. These alerts are so vital to both staff members and students on and off-campus. Hiney, who sends out the Iowa Lakes Alert messages, goes on to say, “The Iowa Lakes Alert is critical to get information to our students and employees in a timely manner.”

Anyone who has lived in this area knows the weather can change quickly. In many cases, students and staff may already be down for work or classes and the weather suddenly changes where conditions can be questionable. Those “middle of the day” storms can be dangerous toward staff and student safety, especially for those who do not live at or near the colleges.

Hiney pointed out that even though the college does think about everyone’s well being, everyone needs to plan out what is best for them during these occurrences. “In the student and employee handbook it tells each person that they are responsible for their safety…They are to determine weather conditions in their area and determine if it is safe to travel.” If you can, always plan ahead and/or have a contingency plan if the weather impacts your commute.

If student and staff are not aware, the state of Iowa’s DOT has an app, IA 511, that can be downloaded. This app can provide road conditions, highway and plow cameras, and show car warnings, like spin-outs, stalled cars, and accidents that may be on roads you need to travel on. This can help determine either to go around or find another route to avoid these hazards. Hiney mentions that “Yes, in a Blizzard Warning when the DOT advises no travel in our area the college is normally closed.”

This app could help students and staff determine when to either leave for the day to their destination safely or if they need to make arrangements in the town the college is located. This app would be a great tool for students and staff who don’t live on campus or even in the state. If students/staff are coming from Minnesota, their states DOT also uses a similar app, MN 511, for road conditions. (Both states 511 apps do have differences in road map capabilities.) Be smart and look ahead. This app may save lives this winter.

Overnight storms always throw monkey wrenches into morning commutes. ILCC must decide in those morning hours whether, the roads would be plowed or if the visibility conditions are too bleak, to call a delay or close altogether. In these cases, Hiney provides us with the time frame in which these decisions are met. “The decision is normally made and sent out before 6 a.m. If the weather is late coming in, the decision will be made as soon as feasible.”

Local TV and radio stations also provide the latest updates on school/college delays or closures and well as weather notifications. Students and staff should always be watchful for these notifications. ILCC shows their commitment to making sure everyone within the ILCC system is made aware of their stance on delays and closures. This enables everyone to be safe and out of harm’s way, both weather and travel-wise. Check the DOT app(s) right away in the morning to see the road conditions. This will help towards making a decision, as well, on travel if the college still foresees a delay/closure.

When it comes to important events, the college handles everything with the most diligence. If these events are affected by any closures, delays, or early dismals the winter weather may have, Hiney, says that they use radio to make these announcements to everyone. Depending on the event, ILCC may possibly also let the public know if any events will be rescheduled for a later date.

Although all of these options can help anyone at ILCC, not everyone opts into these alerts that are offered. Hiney says, “You are imported into the system with the information you used when enrolling or employed.” Hiney says that you do have to opt out of the system to not receive these alerts.

Winter weather is coming, whether we like it or not. Be rest assured that ILCC does take everyone’s safety and well being with the utmost importance. Although ILCC provides these options and services, Iowa Lakes Alerts, it’s important to stay up to date with incoming weather and DOT conditions and listen to the radio or TV stations for delays or closures. ILCC does expect that students and staff be responsible for their decisions on traveling or not. All in all let’s hope for a decent winter and for everyone to stay safe during their necessary travels to and from the college/s.

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Winter Weather Resources, here are some helpful websites to watch for this Winter.

Always check the Iowa Lakes Community College Website Home Page for Delays/Closures

Iowa Department of Transportation Road Conditions

For students traveling from Minnesota:
Minnesota Department of Transportation Road Conditions

Stay Tuned to your local TV and Radio Stations

If it feels unsafe for one to try to make it to the college, due to these potential occurrences, go with your instinct and do what feels right for your own safety and peace of mind.