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Tornado / Severe Weather Guidelines

Each year tornadoes kill or injure hundreds of people. Thousands of homes and other buildings are destroyed by this weather phenomenon. A tornado is a severe storm. The winds of a tornado spiral around a wide funnel at speeds sometimes greater than 200 miles an hour. The peak tornado season in Ohio runs from April through June. 

University Housing, along with the entire university community, has developed notification and emergency procedures in the event of severe weather or tornadoes. Residents should familiarize themselves with the following information. 
 

Tornado / Severe Weather Watches

When a watch has been issued, conditions are right for a tornado to develop. Be prepared to take shelter, and keep informed on the latest storm conditions. Resident assistants and other staff members will post "Tornado Watch" notices in conspicuous areas of the resident halls and use other mediums the community has established to notify students/for community announcements. 
 

Tornado Warnings

A tornado warning indicates a confirmed sighting of a tornado in the area. Emergency warning sirens will notify the campus community. Sirens are tested at 11:00 a.m. on the first Wednesday and 6:30 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month. If you hear the siren outside of these scheduled times, take cover immediately.

What to Do During a Tornado Warning:

• Seek Shelter: Move to designated shelter areas listed below. Avoid elevators and use stairways. In case of power failure or strong winds, elevators may become unsafe.
• Stay Safe: If you encounter glass-walled areas or stairwells, return to the nearest interior corridor, away from windows, and protect yourself from flying debris.
• Be Prepared: Bring shoes and blankets with you to shelter areas for added safety and comfort.

Important Notes ºÚÁÏÍø the Sirens:

• The siren does not signal an "all clear."
• Remain in the shelter for at least 20 minutes after the last siren stops before resuming normal activities.
• For updates, avoid calling the ºÚÁÏÍø Police Department unless absolutely necessary to reduce phone traffic.

Where to Get Information:

• Tune your radio to WNIR (100.1 FM) or WKSU (89.7 FM) for details about:
  1. The type of emergency.
  2. Its location.
  3. Actions to take.
  4. Where to go.
  5. When the emergency is over.

Shelter Locations

• Beall/McDowell – First floor hallways and bathrooms

• Centennial Court A – F – First floor hallways

• Dunbar/Prentice – First floor hallways

• Engleman – Ground floor hallways and restrooms

• Eastway – First floor hallways and restrooms

• Lake/Olson – First floor hallways

• Koonce – Basement hallways

• Korb – Basement hallways

• Leebrick – Basement hallways

• Stopher/Johnson – Basement hallways

• Wright – Basement hallways