Emergency Updates | The University of Iowa

HAWK ALERT: Campus operations changed for Jan 23 due to Extreme Cold Warning. More details at emergency.uiowa.edu and via email.

Thursday, January 22, 2026 - 12:02 PM

Situation update(s):

01/22/2026 - 12:03 PM

HAWK ALERT: Extreme Cold Warning for Johnson Co. on Jan. 23 12AM to 12PM. -35 wind chill possible. Dress warm if you must go outside. More: emergency.uiowa.edu

01/22/2026 - 12:01 PM

National Weather Service Updates

The National Weather Service has issued an Extreme Cold Warning for our area beginning midnight Thursday through Friday at noon. A Cold Weather Advisory will then continue through Saturday at noon.

Operational Updates

Due to the Extreme Cold Warning issued for our area, the University of Iowa will hold classes virtually on Friday, Jan. 23. Instructors will hold their classes via Zoom or Teams, or, in rare circumstances, cancel class and cover material at a future date.

University offices and services will remain open in accordance with the UI Policy Manual. Employees should report as scheduled, safety permitting, and communicate with their supervisor about their specific circumstances. In all cases, we urge faculty, staff, and students to use good judgement and avoid serious risks during extreme weather conditions.

Events 

Organizers of non-academic events are responsible for communicating a cancellation for their event. Those who wish to proceed with events may only do so upon approval from applicable university leadership following procedures outlined in the university’s Extreme Weather Plan.

Winter Weather Safety

Our area is under multiple weather warnings and advisories from the National Weather Service, including an Extreme Cold Warning from midnight Thursday through noon on Friday and an Extreme Cold Advisory through Saturday at noon. During this time wind chills could drop below –35 degrees at various times. These wind chills can cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes. 

To stay safe and protect yourself from the dangerous temperatures, the National Weather Service recommends: 

Stay weather aware. Check the forecast regularly and plan accordingly.

Limit your time outdoors and avoid unnecessary outdoor activities.

Stay indoors during the worst part of the extreme cold.

Dress warmly and monitor local weather resources for updates.

Dress appropriately if you must go outside: 

Wear layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing, and a hat.

Mittens, snug at the wrist, are better than gloves.

Cover your mouth to protect your lungs from extreme cold.

Stay dry and out of the wind.

Additional information

For additional information and FAQs, review the university’s Extreme Weather Plan and these winter weather safety tips.

You can view the most current weather information and road condition updates via:  

The National Weather Service

511 road conditions

Campus Resources 

NITE RIDE: a free, late-night transportation service operated by Campus Safety is available to all UI students, faculty, and staff from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. Nite Ride will maintain service during severe weather within reasonable and safe practices. During extreme weather events, Nite Ride may need to unexpectedly modify or suspend all service. Check the Transit App for route and estimated arrival times.
  
CAMBUS: CAMBUS will maintain service during severe weather within reasonable and safe practices. During extreme weather events, CAMBUS may need to unexpectedly modify or suspend all service. GPS-based, real-time CAMBUS passenger information is available through the Transit app. It is recommended to “favorite” routes you most frequently ride so you can receive notifications of any weather-related detours or delays. 
  
Motorist Assistance Program: UI Parking and Transportation offers free jump-start service for employees, students, and visitors parked on the main campus. To request service, call 319-335-8312. Service can include battery jump starts, locating your vehicle if parked on campus, and pumping air into tires. For current hours, see the UI Parking and Transportation website.
  
Facilities Management: Building operations teams monitor building conditions and landscape services teams remove snow and ice per the campus snow removal policy during extreme weather. To learn more about this process, report an access issue, or view snow removal maps, visit the snow and ice removal procedures page.

Support for Instructors
If you need support for moving your classes online, please contact the ITS Help Desk (its-helpdesk@uiowa.edu, https://its.uiowa.edu/contact) and they will connect you with staff from the Office of Teaching, Learning, and Technology who can help with your questions.
In addition, this guide includes information to transition to online instruction for the day: how to communicate changes, how to connect with your class online, and how to stay informed about campus status.

Aerial photo of University of Iowa campus

Campus Emergency Updates

This website provides up-to-date information to the public during a campus emergency or active Hawk Alert.

Emergency Notifications Frequently Asked Questions

Recent Hawk Alerts

HAWK ALERT: Extreme Cold Warning for Johnson Co. on Jan. 23 12AM to 12PM. -35 wind chill possible. Dress warm if you must go outside. More: emergency.uiowa.edu

01/22/2026 - 12:03 PM

HAWK ALERT The previous incident at the Chemistry Building has been resolved. Resume normal activity. See emergency.uiowa.edu for further information.

12/09/2025 - 5:41 PM

HAWK ALERT Smell of gas in the area of the Chemistry Building, avoid the area. More: emergency.uiowa.edu

12/09/2025 - 5:11 PM

What is a Hawk Alert?

Hawk Alerts are one layer of our campus emergency notification system. These alerts are delivered via text message, phone call, email, and desktop notification (based on the settings selected by the user) when there is confirmation of an immediate threat to the health and safety of the campus community.

All students and employees are encouraged to review and update their Hawk Alert settings using MyUI and Employee Self Service. While email is required, text message is the fastest way to receive an alert.

Safety and Well-Being Resources

Call or text 911 to report an emergency.

University of Iowa Police

Non-emergency number: 319-335-5022

Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

Dialing 988 will route callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. They provide 24/7, confidential support to people in suicidal crisis or mental health related distress.

Call or text 988

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