tornadoes

A tornado is a rapidly rotating, funnel-shaped column of air that extends from a cumulonimbus cloud to the ground. It can include thunderstorms and hail. It often has a roaring sound, like that of 100 trains, or a crashing thunderous sound. Wind speeds are at least 110 miles an hour, but can be in excess of 300 miles an hour. 

 

Individual and Group Safety Information

The following are important safety considerations for individuals:

• Remember that the National Weather Service issues a TORNADO
  WATCH when the possibility of tornadoes exists within a given region.
  
• A TORNADO WARNING is issued when a tornado is spotted or indi-
  cated on radar.
  
• Remember that tornados form suddenly and there may not be time for
  a TORNADO WARNING before a twister strikes. All faculty and staff
  should know the difference between a WATCH and a WARNING.
  
• Stay in interior hallways on the ground floor that are NOT parallel to
  the tornado's path, OR basements.
  
• Never take shelter in buildings with wide, free-span roofs (e.g., Moore
  Fieldhouse)
  
• Avoid all windows and other glassed areas.
  
• Faculty and staff are advised to become familiar with the Severe
  Weather Shelter Zone buildings closest to their office/work stations.
  
• Upon notice of a TORNADO WATCH, locate your personal items and
  keys in case an evacuation is necessary. Upon notice of a TORNADO
  WARNING, turn your computer off, gather personal items (purse, cell
  phone, office keys), lock your office, and move quickly to a Severe
  Weather Shelter Zone.
  
• Once in a shelter area, individuals should assume a protective posture,
  including covering one's head, facing an interior wall.
  
• Remember that most tornado deaths are caused by head injuries.
  
• Please do not leave the shelter until the "all clear" sign is given on the
  WeatherChek line, or by members of the University Police Department.
• Notify the program manager responsible for animal safety precautions within any animal-based university research labs. The program manager is responsible for ensuring the continuity of this research and academic programming.

 

to download these instructions

Click here to download a printable PDF document containing these guidelines.

 

Severe Weather Shelter Zones 

 

The following buildings have areas that should be used as Severe Weather Shelter Zones:

East Side of Campus:
Adanti Student Center - Loading Dock, Movie Theater, 2nd Floor Interior Rooms

Buley Library - Front half of basement away from glass

Davis Hall  - Stair Towers (away from glass),

Lecture Halls 101 & 102

Engleman Hall - Wings A and B (Basement Only)

Facilities Operations Building - Operation in lower level adjacent to street

Jennings Hall  - Interior hallways and stair towers

Lyman Cente - Basement only

Morrill Hall - Basement only

Pelz Gymnasium - Basement only

West Side of Campus:
Admissions Building - Basement only

Connecticut Hall - Middle section of basement

Granoff Hall  - Basement Only

Lang House - Basement Only

North Campus - Interior hallways, Floors 1 to 5

Orlando House - Basement Only

Residence Halls: Hickerson, Chase,Wilkinson, Farnham, Neff - Basements away from windows

Schwartz Hall - Basement corridors

West Campus Residence Hall  - Inside wing hallways

 

The following buildings do NOT have areas that are used as Severe Weather Shelter Zones.

Individuals should evacuate to the nearest building that has such a shelter zone. Faculty and staff in these facilities are strongly encouraged to identify NOW the closest available protection zone. In the event of an ALERT, essential personnel will be available to assist in directing building evacuations.

East Side of Campus:

IT Temporary Building - Should evacuate to Pelz Gym basement 

Nursing Building - Should evacuate to Facilities Operations Building lower level

West Side of Campus:

Brownell Hall - Should evacuate to Wilkinson, Farnham, Chase or Neff Halls basements

Moore Fieldhouse - Should evacuate to the locker rooms in the Moore Field House pool area and the main and lower corridors leading to the pool area.

North Campus Townhouses - Should evacuate to North Campus Midrise 

OB 1 and TE 6 - Should evacuate to Chase Hall basement

Wintergreen Building* - Should evacuate to the locker rooms in the Moore Field House pool area and the main and lower corridors leading to the pool area.

*Those individuals who are not able to safely leave the Wintergreen Building and need to seek shelter immediately may seek shelter in the following areas of the Wintergreen Building:

• The restrooms in the front lobby
• The offices below the mezzanine area
• The academic advisement computer lab
  

to download the WEATHER SAFE ZONE LIST

Click here to download a printable PDF document containing these guidelines.