General Guidance
The University monitors weather events on an ongoing basis.
Procedures to be followed:
Hurricanes
The University will be closed before travel conditions become
dangerous and will not reopen until the environment is safe. Therefore, there are
no special on-campus safety guidelines.
Resident students will either be sent home, sheltered
on-campus or sent to public shelters, as the situation dictates. Guidance on
what actions are to be taken, locations of on-campus and off-campus shelters,
etc. will be provided by the University.
Floods
The University will be closed before travel conditions become
dangerous and will not reopen until the environment is safe.
Resident students should remain indoors when weather
conditions are dangerous.
Winter Storms
The University will be closed before travel conditions become
dangerous and will not reopen until the environment is safe. Resident students
should remain indoors when weather conditions are dangerous.
Thunderstorms
Observe the following rules if lightning is occurring or is about to
commence:
Avoid water fixtures, telephone lines, and any electrical conducting
materials.
Stay inside buildings and off campus grounds.
Campus buildings are designed to withstand significant damage
resulting from thunderstorm wind, rain, hail, and lightning strikes.
If you are outdoors or not at school, depending on your location, keep the
following in mind:
In your home or a building - follow the above-mentioned rules.
In your car - because cars are low profile and supported on rubber tires (an
effective electric insulator) they are generally (but not always) safe from
lightning strikes. Electrical current will also generally follow a path around,
rather than through, the passenger compartment (not necessarily true for
convertibles).
In an open area - go to the nearest ditch or ravine and drop to your knees.
There are a number of "do nots" to keep in mind. Do not do any of
the following:
- stand in an open area
- stand underneath a tall tree (especially if it is in an isolated area)
- seek shelter in a small structure in an open area
- stand in or around a body of water
In a wooded area - go to a low area of small trees or bushes
Stay away from anything metal - farm equipment, golf clubs, wire fences, etc.
If you feel your hair standing on end, drop to your knees bend forward
putting your hands on your knees. Do not lie flat on the ground.
Tornadoes
If a tornado is spotted or imminent take the following steps
immediately:
- Notification of a pending disaster will be announced by
siren (over the voice address system, e-mail, or telephone) -
fire/evacuation alarms are not to be activated.
- Evacuate all trailers and temporary structures. Proceed
immediately to a structurally secure building.
- Do not seek shelter in gyms, auditoriums, and other
large open areas.
- Go to the interior area of the building.
- Take cover under a sturdy object.
- Protect your head, neck, and face.
- Stay away from windows, glass, and items that might
fall.
There is not a sufficient warning period to close the
University or to effectively protect physical assets. Therefore no special
effort should be made to protect physical assets; all attention should be
directed towards life safety procedures.
If you are outdoors or not at school, depending on your location, keep the
following in mind:
- In a house or small building - go to the basement or
cellar; if there is no basement, go to an interior room on the lowest level.
Take cover under a sturdy object, covering your head, neck and face.
- In a school, office, shopping center, etc. - go to an
interior hallway on the lowest level.
- In a high-rise - go to an interior hallway on the
lowest level possible. Do not take the elevator!
- In a car - if the tornado is nearby, get out. Tornadoes
can move swiftly and are often erratic.
- In a mobile home - get out immediately!
- In an open field - lie face down in a ditch or nearest
ravine and cover your head with your hands. This procedure is preferable to
remaining in a car or mobile home.
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