Severe Weather

Dress for the season:

• Wear loose, light weight clothes in layers. Trapped air insulates.
• Remove layers to avoid perspiration and subsequent chill.
• Outer garments should be tightly woven, water repellent and hooded.
• Wear a hat - half your body’s heat loss can come from your head.
• Cover your mouth to protect your lungs from extreme cold.
• Mittens snug to the wrist are better than gloves.
• Wear appropriate footwear.
• Try to stay dry.

Severe Weather:

Weather emergency concerns for North Dakota include high winds, heavy snowfall, lightning, thunderstorms, hail, and tornadoes. The weather emergency concerns for Arizona include extreme heat, dust storms, heavy rainfall, lightning, thunderstorms, and hail. 

The University of Jamestown does not have an early warning system for weather emergencies; a weather emergency radio can be used to monitor changing weather conditions and act accordingly.

The information included here is intended to provide general guidelines for handling various weather emergencies.

High Winds:

High winds can topple trees, outdoor equipment, and electrical lines and send construction materials and debris flying.

If you are inside:

• Stay inside
• Stay away from windows until the wind subsides.

If you are outside:

• Seek shelter in a building and stay away from windows

Snowstorms:

When a severe storm occurs and impacts campus, the University Cabinet decides whether to close campus or whether personnel should leave work early. Personnel are notified through supervisory channels, email, and UJ Public Safety Alerts when necessary. Please follow directions provided when notified to react to snowstorms.

Look to ND Roads App for road conditions

Lightning, Thunderstorms, and Hail 

If you are outdoors during a storm follow the rule of “If you can see it, flee it; If you can hear it, clear it.” You should shut down outdoor activities when lightning is less than six miles away. Use a “flash to bang” (lightning to thunder) approach to calculate how far away the lightning is from your position where a count of five seconds equals one mile in distance. (10 sec. = 2 miles, 20 sec. = 4 miles, 30 sec. = 6 miles, etc.).

If you find yourself caught in a storm away from a protected building

• If possible get into a building or inside vehicle
• If caught in the open, stay low or seek some cover

People who have been struck by lightning do not carry an electrical charge and are safe to assist. Apply first aid immediately if you are qualified to do so. Get emergency help promptly. If you need an ambulance, call 911. 

Tornado: 

Know the difference between a Watch, Warning, and Emergency

WATCH: 

• Be prepared to seek cover. 
• Tornadoes are possible in the area.
• Stay alert

WARNING: 

• Take immediate action! 
• A tornado is happening or is about to happen in the area.

EMERGENCY: 

• Only issued when a violent tornado has touched down in the area. Seek refuse immediately!

What to do during a tornado:

1. Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. 
2. Avoid windows. 
3. Brace yourself and others until the tornado has passed. 
4. Check for injuries. 

Extreme Heat:

1. Avoid being outside during the hottest part of the day (1pm – 5pm). 
2. Stay hydrated.
3. Stay in a cool place. 
4. If air conditioning unit is accessible, use it or get to the nearest cooling area.
5. Electric fans will not prevent heat-related illnesses.
6. Never leave a child, adult, or animal alone inside a vehicle. 
7. Check in with yourself, family, friends, and neighbors for heat-related illness.

Dust Storm: 

1. Get inside a structure or vehicle when possible. Do not drive if possible.
2. If inside a vehicle, pull off immediately and turn off all lights. Stay inside your vehicle. 
3. Close all windows and doors. Turn off HVAC system to avoid dust inside your home. 
4. If you are outside and cannot get inside, cover your nose and mouth.  

Updated: Spring 2026