Natural Disasters

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 / 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.
    •

    Campus Shelter Locations

    ACADEMIC & ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDINGS:

    Admissions Building (323 Stadium Drive)

    		Interior hallways/offices, lowest level

    Bell Athletic Center

    Interior hallways, lowest level

    Chapman Graduate Center

    Basement level, interior hallways

    Coates Library

    		First floor, interior areas away from all windows

    Coates University Center

    Tiger’s Den or lower level of Student Activities Center

    Cobb-Racey Building

    Interior hallways/offices

    Cowles Life Science Building

    Interior hallway/classrooms, lowest level

    Dicke Art/Smith Music Bldg/Taylor Concert Hall

    		Interior hallways, lowest level

    Halsell Center

    First floor hallway

    Health Services

    Interior offices away from windows

    Holt Conference Center (106 Oakmont Court)

    		Basement, interior hallways, lowest level

    Laurie Auditorium

    		Parking levels

    Mabee Dining

    		Center area of main dining, away from windows

    Marrs McLean Science Building

    		Interior hallways, lowest level

    Moody Engineering Building

    		Interior hallway/classrooms, first floor

    Northrup Hall

    		Basement level and parking garage

    Outdoor Pool

    		Locker Rooms

    Parker Chapel

    		Interior hallway, lowest level, Choir Room

    Physical Plant/Central Receiving

    		Interior hallway/craft shops/warehouse

    Ruth Taylor Theater

    		Interior hallways, lowest level, inside Stieren Theater

    Storch Education Building

    		Bathrooms, lowest levels, Tiger Card offices

    Witt Center

    		First floor hallway, interior rooms on lowest level

    RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS:
    Beze/Herndon Halls Interior bathrooms
    Calvert/Miller Halls Interior bathrooms
    Isabel/Myrtle/Susana Halls Interior bathrooms
    McLean Hall Interior hallways away from windows, lowest level
    Murchison Hall Interior bathrooms
    North/South Halls Interior hallways away from windows, lowest level
    Prassel Hal Interior hallways away from windows, lowest level

    NOT ATRIUM AREA

    Thomas/Lightner Halls Interior hallways away from windows, lowest level

    EVACUATE TEA ROOM

    University Residences/Apt Basements, interior hallways, lowest levels
    Winn/Witt Halls Interior hallways away from windows, lowest level

    Earthquakes

    Earthquakes are not a threat to the general area but the information is valuable for individuals who travel to other locations.

    If an earthquake strikes while you are in a building, take cover immediately under a sturdy object covering your head, neck and face. Be prepared to move with the object. To the extent possible, stay away from windows and items that might fall.

    Do not attempt an evacuation during the earthquake. Also be prepared for aftershocks.

    In outdoor areas, stay away from power lines, buildings, and any objects that might fall. In an automobile, pull off the road away from overpasses, bridges, and large structures that might fall.

    There is no warning period; therefore, all attention should be directed towards life safety procedures.