Tornado Emergency Protocols
Tornado Alert System
All faculty, staff, and students should become familiar with the two types of severe weather conditions and what actions should be taken in the event of either.
Tornado Watch Condition
A Tornado Watch Condition means that a tornado could develop in the general area. The University may receive a notice of this condition in several ways—through our own weather radio monitoring or through public broadcasts. At this time the Custodian or supervising staff for each building will unlock designated “Tornado Shelters” for the possibility of the Tornado Watch if the rooms are not already unlocked or if it is after hours. When a tornado watch is in effect, this information will be passed to each department and division by telephone through the Campus Voice-Over-IP Telephone System, campus email. Normally, classes will not be interrupted; but the notice should be circulated to all faculty, staff, and students as soon as feasible.
During a Watch Condition, continue with your routine activities but be prepared to take protective measures. The notification process changes somewhat overnight. During periods of inclement weather, our campus security will monitor the weather network. When a watch is issued, he will notify the Residential Staff, Dean, and VP for Business Affairs. The Resident Directors notify everyone in their respective buildings that a watch has been issued and start unlocking doors to designated areas.
Tornado Warning Condition
A Tornado Warning means that a tornado has actually been spotted in the general area. Tornadoes come and go so quickly that there may not be time for a warning. When in doubt, take cover. In case of a tornado warning, instructors or their designees are responsible for aiding persons with disabilities.
When the National Weather Service issues a tornado warning, the outside public address system will be activated and a message will be broadcast, as well as the Campus Emergency Notification System will immediately be activated. All employees, students and visitors should be directed to enter the nearest shelter.
Tornado shelter areas by building on UJ Campus:
Whenever possible it is best to proceed to the following basement locations:
- Raugust Library
- Reiland Fine Arts Center (green room)
- Hansen Center lower level
If the weather is too dangerous to reach the locations listed above, seek shelter in the building you are in or nearest. Go to the first floor. Do not use elevators.
Badal/Nafus – Hallway and restrooms by cafeteria
Campus Apartments – 1st floor interior hallway
Chapel – Basement
Foss Wellness – Head to Orlady basement
Hansen Center – Lower Level
Kroeze – Lower level lounge and rooms
Larson Center – Interior locker rooms
Lyngstad – Conference room 108
Nierling – 1st floor interior hallways
Newman Arena – Locker room areas below ground
Orland/McKenna Thielsch – Lower level hallways
Physical Plant – Head to Orlady basement
Prentice – 1st floor interior hallway
Raugust Library – Basement
Reiland – 1st floor interior practice rooms and restrooms – Basement (Green Room)
Seibold – 1st floor interior hallway
Sorkness – Basement or 1st floor interior hallway
Taber/Liechty Hall – Lower level interior hallway
Unruh/Sheldon – 1st floor restrooms/interior hallway
Watson – Basement or 1st floor interior hallway
Wilson – 1st floor interior hallway
Wilson Arena – Locker rooms
Please note that you should stay away from walls with windows, exterior walls, and glass doors if possible.