University of West Florida orders dorms evacuated on less than a day’s notice

The entrance to University of West Florida, situated in the northwest corner of the state in Pensacola. (Photo by Jay Waagmeester/Florida Phoenix)PENSACOLA — Evacuation orders for coastal and low-lying areas have been issued for counties across the Florida Panhandle over the past two days as powerful Hurricane Isaias, fueled by warm Gulf waters, intensified. Some of those ordered to evacuate were University of West Florida students living in on-campus dormitories in Pensacola. UWF’s houses about 1,500 students amid a student body of around 15,000. UWF sent an email after 8 p.m. Wednesday telling students the campus, including dorms, would close Thursday at 7 p.m. Students were required to unplug their refrigerators and other electronics. Students with “no safe alternative” were told a UWF shelter of last resort “may” be available. Those who wanted to take advantage of the offer were told they had a one-hour window to do so Friday morning. The email warned, though, that it was an “emerg