Effects of ‘Frankenstorm’ begin to hit Indiana

Post-tropical ‘superstorm’ Sandy, otherwise known as “Frankenstorm,” was expected to hit early this week.

The storm was considered a hurricane until Monday

Projected to come to Indiana at its worst Monday night, the storm is making an impact all over Pennsylvania. 

Governor Tom Corbett announced around 2 p.m. Monday that 18 counties had opened emergency operations centers. 

“We face wide spread power outages, flooding and wind damage,” Corbett said. 

He also said that 1,600 National Guard troops had been deployed.

In Indiana, high-wind warnings and area flood watch advisories have been posted on weather-tracking websites like accuweather.com. 

Winds with gusts up to 60 mph were expected Monday evening into early Tuesday. 

Winds at this speed are capable of blowing down trees and “make driving difficult,” according to accuweather.com

Indiana University of Pennsylvania, according to its website, “is committed to the safety and security of its students, faculty, staff and visitors.” 

In addition, the website says that “the decision as to whether university classes or programs and events will be held during periods of adverse weather conditions is based on the overall concern for the university community.”

The president ultimately has the authority to decide if the university closes during bad weather. 

“The decision to close the university will be made only under the most extreme circumstances,” the IUP website says.

Students on campus have mixed feelings about the storm and its severity.

“Right now I don’t think it’s that bad,” said Lindsy Witteblert (junior, exercise science) Monday, “Once it gets worse it might be. I don’t know what to expect.”

“People need to stop acting like it’s the end of the world,” said Jennifer Bergey (senior, journalism) Monday. “Stop buying all of the milk and batteries.”

Hurricane Sandy is a tougher topic for students on the eastern side of the state. 

“ESU cancelled classes Monday and Tuesday,” said East Stroudsburg University senior Ewelina Puk. “The library is closed until Wednesday and the cafeteria is closing early [Monday], but they are sending students home with food.

“Not many people are out and about with the rain and wind; I don’t think I’ll be venturing out in this weather.”

Other universities across the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education have been closed as well.