The University of Central Florida will be monitoring Hurricane Irma through its Department of Emergency Management.

Hurricane Irma has escalated to a Category 5 hurricane at 180 miles per hour, ten miles per hour short of the Atlantic record.

“Should there be a potential for the Orlando area to be impacted, a decision could be made to close campus. That decision will be communicated via UCF Alert text, UCF social media and email messages,” UCF said.

“The Rosen College of Hospitality Management, Health Sciences at Lake Nona campus and Center for Emerging Media in downtown Orlando follow main campus closure protocols. UCF regional locations will follow the decisions made by their respective host state college.”

A decision on the UCF-Memphis game and Family Weekend will be made by the university later today. Sources say the game will be played at Spectrum Stadium on Friday, September 8.

Florida Governor Rick Scott has declared a State of Emergency for all counties in the state of Florida in order to prepare for Irma.

The University of Central Florida Emergency Management Center will be monitoring the storm around the clock and assist administrators on whether to cancel classes.

“Finally, now is the time to prepare, not panic,” the university stated.

“Take precautions, such as developing a plan or building a hurricane safety kit, to evacuate or ride out the storm. A good hurricane safety kit should allow you to survive on your own for 72 hours and include basic survival essentials like water, food, communication tools and flashlights.”

“Your safety remains UCF’s No. 1 priority. Our Department of Emergency Management will continue to track Hurricane Irma in partnership with the National Weather Service, and we will make decisions with your well-being in mind.”

UCF will be demonstrating how to build a hurricane safety kit tomorrow at the Campus Safety Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Pegasus Ballroom.

“Join us for the 7th Annual Campus Safety Fair on to meet campus and community partners, explore safety resources, interact with hands-on displays, win fantastic raffle prizes, and enjoy snacks and entertainment. Get there early to experience all this fun and informative event has to offer!,” UCF Victims Services said.

UCF closed classes for Hurricane Matthew in October of 2016, the first Hurricane in over a decade anticipated to make landfall at the time in the Sunshine State.

Students were widely concerned with how long the decision took from UCF to cancel classes and close the university as other institutions closed earlier before the storm. Students were faced with leaving campus early on their own time or sticking with an official decision seemingly last-minute, two days before expected landfall.

Although on Wednesday, October 5,  UCF announced classes to close on all campuses from Wednesday, October 5, at 3 p.m. through Saturday, October 8, 2016.

Last year, Orange County and Seminole County both enacted mandatory 33-hour and 26-hour curfews, respectively, for all residents. The Central Florida Expressway closed toll roads in anticipation for the Hurricane.

Hurricane Matthew brushed the East coast of Florida at a Category 3 and fortunately did not cause much damage to Central Florida. Meteorologists expect Irma to make landfall but do not have a pinpoint location just yet; Irma may move along the East coast as Matthew did, move up through Florida according to weather models, or move into the Gulf of Mexico.

After Governor Scott’s announcement, water and bread began to run on low supplies at the Walmart on Alafaya and Target in Waterford Lakes Town Center.

Stick with @UCFKnightNews for all of your UCF hurricane related information and updates. We will be posting on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.