El Niño and Severe Weather Preparedness

Campus operational status: normal operations.

There are currently no changes to HMC classes or campus operations. In the event of severe weather impacts, official updates will be posted on the College’s home page and broadcast via email and the Mudd Alert mass notification system (en español).

Quick Contacts and Emergency Reporting

If you encounter an emergency, immediate facility issue, or safety concern, please contact the following:

Need / ServiceContact / OfficePhoneEmail / Online
24/7 Campus Emergency / EscortCampus Safety (The Claremont Colleges)909.607.2000 (x72000)dispatch@claremont.edu
Facilities Emergency (Water Leaks, Roof Damage)HMC Facilities & Maintenance (F&M)909.621.8226 (x18226)facilities@hmc.edu 
After-Hours Facility EmergenciesCampus Safety Dispatch909.607.2000 (x72000)Dispatch alerts F&M On Call Staff and Dean On Call
Student Affairs & SupportDivision of Student Affairs (Platt Center)909.621.8125 (x18125)dean_of_students@hmc.edu 
Student Health & CounselingMonsour Counseling / Student Health909.621.8202 (x18202)Tranquada Student Services Center
1st Floor757 College Way
Claremont, CA, 91711 
Non-Emergency Maintenance RequestsF&M Work Order System909.607.4559 (x74559)F&M Work Order
Contacts and Emergency Reporting

Severe Weather Action Checklists 

Information for Students

Before A Severe Weather Event

  • Residence Hall Room: Ensure residence hall room and suite windows are securely closed and latched before storms, especially during wind-driven rainstorms. Check that any balcony and courtyard drains near your room are free of visible debris. If not, contact F&M as soon as possible to report the issue.
  • Report Maintenance Issues Early: Report any window seal leaks, roof drips, or standing water outside residence hall entrances immediately via the F&M Work Order portal, by calling Ext. 74559,  or by emailing facilities@hmc.edu.
  • Build a Personal Emergency Kit: Keep essential supplies easily accessible in your room in a bag you can grab in a hurry, if necessary:
    • Portable USB power bank (fully charged) with cords for your cell phone, laptop and any other critical devices.
    • Flashlights or LED portable lights or headlamps (No candles and open flames as these are fire risks.)
    • 3-day supply of personal medications
    • Bottle of water and protein bars; the College maintains supplies of drinking water and food for several days in the event of an emergency.
    • Sturdy, closed-toe footwear and rain gear
  • Commuter Planning: Any students commuting to and from campus should monitor traffic along Foothill Blvd (Hwy 111), I-210, I-10, and/or check the Metrolink San Bernardino Line status before leaving for campus. Coordinate with your professors in advance if severe weather impacts your route and check your email, watch for Mudd Alerts, and check the College’s homepage for last-minute announcements on class cancellations and closures. Prioritize your personal safety. 

During A Severe Weather Event

  • Check your HMC email and monitor Mudd Alert for official campus operational updates.
  • Never attempt to walk or drive through flowing water or flooded intersections (e.g., Foothill Blvd (Hwy 111) or any low-lying local 5C streets).
  • Avoid standing near tall eucalyptus trees or temporary structures during high winds or lightning.

Information for Faculty 

Before A Severe Weather Event

  • Establish Communication Plan: Review how you will contact students in your courses (via Canvas, email, or GoogleChat) if severe weather or local power outages affect access to campus or to classrooms.
  • Flexible Attendance Expectations: Recognize that students who may be commuting or those who are cross-registered from the other 5C campuses may face varying weather and travel conditions getting to campus from their home campuses or from San Bernardino, Los Angeles, or other surrounding counties.
  • Prepare for Hybrid/Remote Delivery: Review plans for how you would pivot to deliver your course remotely in case emergency campus-wide remote instruction is authorized by the Dean of Faculty. 

During A Severe Weather Event

Information for Makerspace, Shops, Labs and Clinic Spaces

Before A Severe Weather Event

  • Critical Equipment:
    • Verify that Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) units for critical computers, printers, servers, lasers, and analytical equipment are functioning properly and are appropriate for the type of equipment they are serving.
    • Identify non-essential high-voltage or sensitive lab equipment that should be safely powered down ahead of forecasted windstorms or heavy lightning.
    • Please review the HMC Laboratory Ventilation Management Program information. Verify that hazardous chemicals in the fume hood are sealed and secure.Ensure that all electrical equipment and cords are elevated at least six inches off the floor to prevent any damage or short circuits during potential flood events.
  • Chemical and Specimen Security
    • Ensure chemical storage cabinets and flammable storage units are properly latched.
    • Move chemical containers, biohazards and sensitive samples away from windows and off floor levels prone to water seepage/flooding.
  • Clinic, Shop and Makerspace Projects:
    • Secure or relocate any outdoor Clinic project prototypes, testing rigs, or materials located in open courtyards or shop loading docks or in other areas prone to potential flooding or water intrusion.
    • Please review the appropriate departmental and laboratory safety manuals and chemical hygiene information prior to any weather event.
    • Contact F&M for details on the availability of emergency generators if needed.  

Information for Staff and Supervisors

Before A Severe Weather Event

  • Departmental Continuity: Review key operational tasks with your team and confirm who is designated as essential personnel for on-campus response (e.g., Facilities, Dining Services).
  • Remote Work Preparedness: Ensure laptops, power cords, and key files are accessible if remote work is approved due to local flooding or travel hazards.
  • Building Checks: Close all office windows, turn off electronics, and ensure ground-level office items are raised off the floor in areas prone to water intrusion.

During A Severe Weather Event

The Claremont Colleges

Because Harvey Mudd College is a member of the consortium, severe weather events require cross-campus awareness and collaboration:

  • Cross-Registered Classes: If Harvey Mudd modifies class schedules or switches to remote instruction, the College will coordinate directly with cross-registered institutions (Pomona, Claremont McKenna, Scripps, Pitzer) via the Dean of Faculty regarding their operational status, as individual colleges may make independent operational decisions. Faculty should also keep in mind that students from other campuses may be facing different impacts from severe weather events (i.e., issues with their specific residence hall on their home campus, etc.) and may need greater flexibility during severe weather events.
  • Consortium Services Continuity:
    • Hoch-Shanahan Dining Commons: F&M and Dining Services prioritize continuous food service operations at Hoch-Shanahan during power outages and other disruptions.
    • Honnold-Mudd Library, Student Health Services, and other shared services: Any operational adjustments regarding access to shared 5C/7C resources will be communicated via The Claremont Colleges Services (TCCS) announcements and via HMC emergency channels (Mudd Alerts, emails) as needed.
  • Inter-Campus Pedestrian Paths: Use caution on shared 7C sidewalks and footpaths. Avoid walking near heavy tree canopies during strong wind gusts and avoid walking under large trees during any lightning events. Report any fallen limbs blocking pathways to Campus Safety (909.607.2000) as soon as it is safe for you to do so.

How to Stay Informed and Enroll in Mudd Alert

Harvey Mudd College uses the Mudd Alert mass notification system to broadcast high-priority emergency notifications via text message, email and phone messages. The system is operated by Everbridge and is managed by Campus Safety and the Office of Emergency Preparedness and Safety at Harvey Mudd. 

To Sign Up for Mudd Alerts

  1. Visit the Mudd Alert page on the College’s Emergency Preparedness and Safety Website and choose the HMC Mudd Alert Registration Form link. 
  2. Complete the form and submit. Please allow a few days to be added to the system. 

Contact the Office of Human Resources at hr@hmc.edu or 909.607.9700 for more information on the Mudd Alert system.

Additional Information and Resources