Weather Emergencies -- do you know how to respond?

Weather emergencies can come in all forms: severe thunderstorms, tornados, flooding, and heavy accumulation of snow. Depending on the circumstances, the proper response to any even could be Evacuation or Shelter-In-Place. Some incidents resulting in road closures from snow or flooding could limit mobility, which could restrict access to and from campus. These types of weather events present issues that will need to addressed by the Emergency response Team.

Alerts given by the National Weather Services are defined as:

• WATCH:  Weather event has increased significantly, but its location or timing is uncertain.
• WARNING:  Weather event is occurring, is imminent , or has a high probability of occurring. A warning is used for conditions posting a threat to life and property.
• TORNADO WARNING:  A tornado has been seen or detected on radar and could impact the immediate are.

When a National Weather Service weather warning is issued and the University is in the projected or actual track of the storm, communication will occur through a pre-established communication methods to Shelter-In-Place and the following protocols followed:

• Move to an interior room with no windows or a hallway on the lowest floor possible.
• Move to a stairwell that does not have windows.

Belpw are the university's Shelter in Place guidelines.

Shelter-In-Place

Shelter-In-Place means to seek immediate shelter and remain there during an emergency rather than evacuate the area.  Shelter-In-Place will only be used when an evacuation is not safe.

1.Severe Weather Events

In the event of a severe weather event such as a tornado or wind event the following precautions should be taken:

1. Move to the Avrum Gudelsky Auditorium
2. Move to an interior room with no windows, or a hallway on the lowest floor possible.
3. Move to a stairwell that does not have windows.
4. Stay in the center of the room away from doors and windows.

2.Predetermined Assembly Areas for Shelter-In-Place

Outlined below are predetermined assembly areas for the following buildings: