From N.C. Central University and Duke University news services

DURHAM -- N.C. Central University late Friday announced the cancellation of all classes for today, in anticipation of the storm.

Updates will be provided as needed on the school's Web site -- www.nccu.edu -- through e-mail messages from the school to students, faculty and employees, and through the school's adverse weather line at (919) 530-7220.

As of late Friday, Duke University officials said they were closely monitoring weather conditions and forecasts and did not expect to activate the severe weather and emergency conditions policy at that time. Duke said it would continue to closely monitor conditions through the weekend.

Duke said staff should expect to work their normal schedule today unless notified otherwise.

If the policy is activated, the announcement will be made through the various DukeALERT channels, including email, text message, and Duke's emergency website at http://emergency.duke.edu.

A message will be recorded on the severe weather/emergency conditions telephone line at (919) 4636.

Duke said plans were underway to ensure clearing of snow and ice from roads and walkways on campus as necessary, and dining facilities are expected to be open on a normal schedule this weekend.

Staff members should check with their managers about the service category for their position and how they will be notified if the severe weather policy is activated.

During times of severe weather, some staff positions require on-site presence to continue operations. To ensure continuous operations of patient care, student support and research functions, managers should assign all jobs to one of three service categories:

- Essential Service: During severe weather or emergency conditions, essential service staff report or remain at work.

- Reserve Service: During severe weather or emergency conditions, these staff are assigned a status at the time of the event.

- Delayed Service: During severe weather or emergency conditions, these staff do not report to or remain at work.

More information about the policy, including checklists and answers to frequently asked questions, is available at http://www.hr.duke.edu/weather.

Durham County statement

Late Friday, Durham County issued reminded residents, in case of storm emergencies, to:

- Direct all life-threatening emergencies to 911.

- To report power outages, residents should contact Duke Energy at 1-800-POWERON (1-800-769-3766) or in Spanish at 1-866-4APAGON (1-866-427-2466).