Severe Weather

In the event the National Weather Service issues a severe weather watch, a campus-wide e-mail will go out from Campus Security or Life Safety with notification and instructions.

In the event the National Weather Service issues a severe weather warning, it will be necessary to evacuate all campus buildings to their designated shelter areas.

It is critical that building occupants comply with requests to evacuate to shelter. Currently, the colleges do not have a campus-wide notification system. Notification requires that officers go from building-to-building to assist occupants to shelter areas. Timing is critical in the safety of all students, staff, faculty and visitors.

IN THE EVENT OF SEVERE WEATHER:

• When a tornado or severe weather warning is issued, seek shelter immediately in the nearest building
• Shelters include interior hallways, lower level of any building (away from windows) or bathrooms or interior rooms
• Stay in the shelter until the weather warning has expired or someone from Campus Security or Life Safety notifies you that the weather warning has expired
• All classes will be immediately suspended
• All offices will close
• Busses will stop running
• Bookstores will close

AWARENESS IS YOUR BEST DEFENSE

• Campus Security and Life Safety will issue severe weather warnings based on information received from the National Weather Service
• Do not rely solely on sirens as a form of notification. It is important that people follow all instructions via the radio or authorities during a severe weather warning and then be patient waiting for the warning to expire
• Keep your “eye on the sky”
• Listen to AM Radio WJON 1240
• Listen to FM Radio WWJO 98.1
• Watch TV reports
• Utilize computer access to watch radar maps and up-dates on severe weather (remember that some radar images can be up to 15 minutes old)
• If you have questions, contact one of the information desks (Please call the Security departments during the severe weather warning only if you have an emergency)
• Be aware of the location of your shelter areas
• If you hear Civil Defense Sirens sounding, move to lower level areas of the building that you are in and stay clear of windows
• Fire alarms will not be issued to announce a severe weather warning
• Respond to instructions provided by security officers