Severe Weather

Tornados

Watch the tornado safety video.

Severe Weather Safety

• In the event of an impending tornado/lightning storm, the City of Aurora will activate the Civil Defense siren.
• Be aware of an emergency text alert.
• Students, faculty, and staff should move to a safe location.
  • Away from windows and stairwells.
  • The lowest level of the building possible.
  • Move toward the building interior.
  • Do not leave the area of shelter until the storm has passed.
  • Campus Public Safety will verify the “all clear” with the City of Aurora.

Severe Weather/Tornado Notification Procedure

We cannot always rely on the campus utilities, phone, and electricity to continue to function. Therefore, it is imperative for the safety of yourself and others, that attempts are made to keep you aware and updated of changing weather conditions. When conditions are favorable for severe weather to develop, a severe thunderstorm or tornado watch is issued by the National Weather Service.

Each year, many people are killed or seriously injured by tornadoes despite advance warning. Some did not hear the warning, while others received the warning but did not believe a tornado would actually affect them. The City of Aurora tornado sirens are designed to alert persons who are outdoors; they are not intended for indoor notification.

The prepared information for this procedure, combined with timely severe weather watches and warnings, could save a life in the event a tornado threatens our area. After you have received the warning or observed threatening skies, YOU must make the decision to seek shelter before the storm arrives. It could be the most important decision you will ever make.

Know the terms used to describe severe weather or tornado threats:

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH: Severe thunderstorms are possible in our area. Watch the sky and listen to the radio or television for more information.

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING: Severe thunderstorms are occurring.

TORNADO WATCH: Tornadoes are possible in our area. Remain alert for approaching storms. If you see any rotating funnel-shaped clouds, report them immediately by telephone to Campus Safety at X: 5450 or 911. Be prepared to take shelter.

TORNADO WARNING: A tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. If a tornado warning is issued for our area, the sky becomes threatening, and sirens are sounded, move to your pre-designated place of safety.

Remember, tornadoes occasionally develop in areas in which a severe thunderstorm watch or warning is in effect. Remain alert to signs of an approaching tornado and seek shelter if threatening conditions exist.

In the event that a severe weather watch/warning or tornado watch/warning has been issued, the following procedures will be used by Campus Public Safety:

Notification during business hours:

Upon notification of a severe thunderstorm watch, Campus Public Safety will immediately attempt to notify one or more of the buildings and advise them that a severe weather or tornado watch has been issued. If possible, an email announcement will be dispatched with details as they are received. Campus Public Safety is registered with emergencyemail.org and weatherunderground.com, which are websites that provide direct information from the national weather service.

Campus Public Safety will make every attempt to keep the campus updated. Please also stay informed about the storm by listening to commercial radio and television for the latest severe weather or tornado WATCHES and WARNINGS.

All Clear Notification:

Campus Public Safety will not issue an all-clear notification until verification from the Aurora Police Department has been given. When possible, runners for Campus Public Safety will provide all-clear notification. If some period of time has elapsed without notice, please contact Campus Public Safety at 6140 to verify the all-clear to the occupants of their building.

In an office and classroom building: Go directly to an enclosed, windowless area in the center of the building -- away from glass. One should then crouch down and cover your head. Interior stairwells are usually good places to take shelter, and if not crowded, allow you to get to a lower level quickly. Limit your use of the elevators; you could become trapped in them if the power is lost.

After the tornado:

Keep everyone together and wait for emergency personnel to arrive. Carefully render aid to those who are injured. Stay away from power lines and puddles with wires in them; they may still be carrying electricity! Watch your step to avoid broken glass, nails, and other sharp objects. Stay out of any heavily damaged houses or buildings; they could collapse at any time. Do not use matches or lighters, in case of leaking natural gas pipes or fuel tanks nearby. Remain calm and alert and listen for information and instructions from emergency crews or local officials.

When a tornado warning occurs, proceed to the shelter area, if time permits. The better your shelter, the better your ability to avoid injury.

• Persons in each building should go to the lowest floor. If time permits, go to a building with a basement, in hallways, and out of the line of flying glass.
• If there is no time to go to a lower floor, lie on the floor or under a desk with your head pointed away from windows and outside wall openings.
• Avoid the gymnasium or any area with long spans of roof between supports.
• Heavy furniture or desks provide protection.
• Remain stationary for at least 15 minutes in case the tornado doubles back.
• If you suspect the building you are in has structural damage, evacuate as soon as the all-clear has been sounded.
• The area tornado warning siren is tested on the first Tuesday of each month. A tornado warning is a continuous and steady tone on the siren.

Buildings with basements:

• Watkins Hall
• Dunham Hall
• Stephens Hall
• Alumni Hall
• Phillips Library

Some information about tornados:

• Tornados may travel at speeds of 40 to 60 MPH.
• Wind speeds can be as high as 250 MPH on the outside of the funnel.
• Some tornados have been known to slash a path more than 100 miles long.
• Most tornados come from the southwest and travel to the northeast.

Earthquakes

You will have little to no notice of an earthquake. In the event of an earthquake:

• If outdoors, move away from any building, avoiding utility poles and overhead wires.
• If indoors, try to stay clear of windows, light fixtures, and suspended objects. Also, stay clear of rooms where there are long spans between ceiling supports (i.e., gym).

After the quake has stopped, quickly evacuate the building and move personnel outside of all buildings and to an open area outside. Remember, there may be aftershocks that follow, so move quickly when the quake stops! Do not re-enter any building until it has been inspected and declared safe by competent personnel.

A damaged structure can be re-occupied only after authorization by the city and/or state building division. University officials will be notified of the corrective actions to be taken to return a building to use.