Severe Thunderstorms
Severe thunderstorms are storms that are capable of producing hail that is an inch or larger or wind gusts over 59 mph. Hail this size can damage property such as plants, roofs, and vehicles. Wind this strong is able to break off large branches, knock over trees, or cause structural damage to trees. Thunderstorms can also produce lightning, heavy rain, and tornadoes
Follow these tips to stay safe during a severe thunderstorm:
- Monitor weather forecasts for up-to-date information.
- Severe Thunderstorm Watch: Severe storms possible. Be prepared.
- Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Severe storms expected. Seek shelter.
- Hail
- Seek protective shelter immediately and remain there until hail has stopped.
- Lightning
- If you hear thunder seek protective shelter immediately.
- Stay away from tall, isolated trees or other tall objects.
- Stay away from water, wet items, and metal objects, such as fences and poles. Water and metal are excellent conductors of electricity.
Tornadoes
A tornado is a violent, rotating column of air extending from the base of a thunderstorm down to the ground. Tornadoes are capable of destroying well-made structures, uprooting trees, and hurling objects through the air. Tornadoes can occur at any time of day or night and at any time of the year.
Follow these tips to stay safe during a tornado:
- Monitor weather forecasts for up-to-date information.
- Tornado Watch: Tornado possible. Be prepared.
- Tornado Warning: Tornado expected. Seek shelter.
- During a Tornado:
- Immediately go to a safe location such as a safe room, basement, storm cellar, or a small interior room on the lowest level of a sturdy building.
- Stay away from all windows, doors, and outside walls.
- Protect yourself by covering your head or neck with your arms putting materials such as furniture and blankets around or on top of you.
- Remain inside until the tornado has passed or cleared to leave.
- After a tornado passes:
- Stay clear of fallen power lines or broken utility lines.
- Do not enter damaged buildings until you are told they are safe.
Hurricanes
A hurricane is a type of storm called a tropical cyclone, which forms over tropical or subtropical waters. Tropical cyclones with maximum sustained surface winds of less than 39 mph are called tropical depressions. Those with maximum sustained winds of 39 mph or higher are tropical storms. When a storm’s maximum sustained winds reach 74 mph, it is called a hurricane. The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale is a 1 to 5 rating, or category based on a hurricane’s maximum sustained winds. The higher the category, the greater the hurricane’s potential for property damage.
Hurricane season begins on June 1 and ends on November 30, although hurricanes can, and have, occurred outside of this time frame.
Follow these tips to stay safe during a hurricane:
Before the hurricane:
- Stay informed. Pay attention to announcements from University administrators and visit www.hurricanes.gov for hurricane information.
- Monitor weather forecasts for up-to-date information.
- Hurricane Watch: Hurricane conditions possible. Be prepared
- Hurricane Warning: Hurricane conditions expected. Evacuate immediately if so ordered
- Storm Surge Watch: Possibility of life-threatening inundation from rising water moving inland from the shoreline, generally within 48 hours
- Storm Surge Warning: Danger of life-threatening inundation from rising water moving inland from the shoreline, generally within 36 hours
- Tropical Storm Watch: Tropical storm conditions (sustained winds 39 to 73 mph) are possible within 48 hours
- Tropical Storm Warning: Tropical Storm conditions (sustained winds of 39-74 mph) are expected within 36 hours
- In flood-prone areas (basements), move valuable items and documents to tabletops, away from windows, to prevent damage in the event of local flooding.
- Refresh your emergency kit with fresh batteries, flashlight, important medications, drinking water, and snacks.
- Be prepared to evacuate if instructed to do so, the decision to evacuate from campus will be based upon the severity of the hurricane.
During the Hurricane:
- Stay indoors during the hurricane and away from windows and glass doors.
- Avoid using elevators.
After the Hurricane:
- Stay alert for extended rainfall even after the hurricane has ended.
- If you evacuated, only return home when officials say it is safe.
- Stay off the streets. Go outdoors only if necessary and watch for fallen objects; downed electrical wires; and weakened walls, bridges, roads, and sidewalks.
- Drive only if necessary and avoid flooded roads
- Keep away from loose or dangling power lines and report them immediately to the University Police.
- Do not enter any building that is deemed or looks unsafe.
Earthquakes
An earthquake is a sudden, rapid shaking of the ground caused by the shifting of rocks deep underneath the earth’s surface. Earthquakes can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides, or avalanches.
Follow these tips to stay safe during an earthquake:
If an earthquake happens, protect yourself right away:
- If you are in a car, pull over and stop. Set your parking brake.
- If you are in bed, turn face down and cover your head and neck with a pillow.
- If you are outdoors, stay outdoors away from buildings.
- If you are inside, stay and do not run outside and avoid doorways.
During an Earthquake:
- Drop (or Lock): Wherever you are, drop down to your hands and knees and hold onto something Saturday. If you are using a wheelchair or walker with a seat, make sure your wheels are locked and remain seated until the shaking stops.
- Cover: Cover your head and neck with your arms. If a sturdy table or desk is nearby, crawl underneath it for shelter. If no shelter is nearby, crawl next to an interior wall (away from windows). Crawl only if you can reach better cover without going through an area with more debris. Stay on your knees or bent over to protect vital organs.
- Hold On: if you are under a table or desk, hold on with one hand and be ready to move if it moves. If seated and unable to drop to the floor, bend forward, cover your head with your arms and hold on to your neck with both hands.
After an Earthquake:
- Expect aftershocks to follow the main shock of an earthquake. Be ready to drop, cover, and hold on if you feel an aftershock.
- If you are in a damaged building, go outside and quickly move away from the building. Do not enter damaged buildings.
- If you are trapped, sent a text or bang on a pipe or wall.
- Be careful when cleaning up. Wear protective clothing and do not try to remove heavy debris by yourself.