Outside the WUWF studios, a gigantic pine tree fell near the front door, barely missing the building’s front windows.
Across the University of West Florida campus, other trees came down around buildings and blocked roads and parking lots.
But the buildings themselves largely escaped serious damage. Now, the work of clearing those trees is shaping when students and employees can return.
In an interview Tuesday, UWF President Manny Diaz Jr. said the university would remain closed Thursday. He expected to share more details Wednesday about a phased reopening that would give residential students time to settle in before classes resume.
“I want to stress that our No. 1 priority is creating a safe campus,” Diaz said.
Clearing a path back to campus
Crews began cutting trees at 3 a.m. after the storm, initially opening just enough space for police and operations personnel to get through. By Tuesday, campus roads were usable, and crews were working around buildings and clearing parking lots.
That is a considerable job on a 1,600-acre campus where trees are woven throughout the grounds.
“People and heavy machinery don’t mix well, and that’s why we’ve continued to be closed,” Diaz said.
Power returned late Monday, allowing staff to check building interiors. Diaz reported no substantial damage from those assessments, although he cautioned that rain could still reveal leaks. A utility plant sustained roof damage that he described as repairable.
Internet service also had been restored, then was interrupted when a line was cut during debris removal. Crews were working on that repair at the time of the interview.
Even after campus reopens, some areas will remain off-limits. Certain parking lots will be needed for debris removal, while other locations may still be unsafe.
Time to return, then time for class
For 30 students who could not evacuate, the university provided shelter and hot meals. They returned to their dorm rooms Tuesday.
“They were troopers,” Diaz said.
Before welcoming other residential students back, crews have focused on clearing the areas around their buildings. Diaz said the residence halls were structurally sound, offering reassurance to students who left belongings behind.
“I want to reiterate, our residence halls are good,” he said. “Our buildings are good.”
The university plans to stagger its reopening. Students who traveled away from Pensacola would have time to return and get comfortable in their rooms before classes begin. Faculty and staff also would receive a date to return to their offices.
Those dates had not been announced Tuesday.
Diaz said the university must consider what people are facing beyond campus, too. Some employees and students are dealing with damage to their own homes.
For employees concerned about their next paycheck, he had a definite answer.
“We were able to successfully run our payroll today, so everybody will get paid,” he said.
Homecoming will wait. Football might not.
This was supposed to be homecoming week. Instead, those celebrations will move to spring, along with Diaz’s presidential inauguration and related activities.
“Obviously, this is not the time to do that, and we’re not going to be trying to pull resources from the recovery,” he said of the inauguration.
The athletic schedule was still under review, including Saturday’s football game.
Diaz said the university hoped to host the game if it could reopen safely and bring students and employees back first. There would be no tailgating or accompanying homecoming activities.
For Diaz, the value of playing extends beyond the field. He said a game could give residents a place to gather, cheer and take a break from the work and worry of recovery.
“So if we can do it safely, we would like to do that,” he said.
Volleyball and soccer also were being evaluated. The field house was in good condition, Diaz said, and access to volleyball and football could be managed without directing visitors through debris-hauling areas.
Soccer presents a different challenge. The east side of campus had more damage, remained without power and was being used to stage debris. Any soccer matches held there would be played without spectators.
Diaz expected decisions on athletic events within the next two days.
A place to ask for help in person
Just outside WUWF, the parking lot near the water tower has become a place for residents to get help with insurance claims.
The Florida chief financial officer’s office brought insurance representatives to campus so people could discuss storm damage face to face.
“So instead of you trying to figure it out through the internet or the phone at home, you can come right up there and they can file your claim for you right on the spot,” Diaz said.
He said those conversations can provide reassurance as well as practical help, allowing residents to ask questions and know their claims have been submitted.
No appointment is needed. Residents should bring their insurance policies if available, along with photographs of the damage. Pictures taken before the storm also can help.
Wednesday’s hours were discussed during the interview as 1 to 4 p.m. Diaz said the hub would need to leave that location as university operations resume.
UWF also received Walmart gift cards to help students and employees with needs arising from the storm.
For now, Diaz encouraged students, families and employees to follow official university announcements as reopening plans take shape. With buildings largely spared, the focus is on finishing enough cleanup to bring people back safely and restore some routine.
“We are working for a speedy recovery,” he said.
