Severe Weather Emergencies

This guide aims to provide you with the information you need to identify various weather alerts and the procedures you should follow when you encounter severe weather emergencies.

In case of severe weather, please visit the Emergency Closing Policies page as well as Tornado Shelter Locations for Residence Halls and campus.

 

Thunderstorms

  • Severe Thunderstorm Watch means severe thunderstorms are possible in your area.

  • Severe Thunderstorm Warning means a severe thunderstorm is imminent or has been indicated by Doppler radar or reported by storm spotters.

    • Tornado sirens are sounded for those areas in the path of the tornado throughout Licking County. These sirens are intended to be heard outside of buildings and are not designed to be heard inside every building.

    Security and the Operator initiate a phone tree in the event of a tornado warning to notify all departments as well as students.

Tornados

  • Tornado Watch means tornadoes are possible in your area. Remain alert for approaching storms, and be prepared to seek shelter.

  • Tornado Warning means a tornado is imminent or has been indicated by Doppler radar or reported by storm spotters. Move to your pre-designated place of safety immediately!

What to do during a tornado warning:

  • As soon as a tornado sirens sound or a tornado has been sighted nearby, get to a safe shelter immediately.

  • Move to a pre-designated shelter, such as a basement. Assist those with special needs in getting to the shelter area.

  • Put as many walls as possible between you and the outside. Get under a sturdy table and use arms to protect head and neck. Stay away from windows and open spaces. Stay there until the danger has passed.

  • If there is no basement, go to an interior room on the lowest level (closets, interior hallways, or restrooms). Do not open windows.

  • In a high-rise building, go to a small, interior room or hallway with no windows on the lowest floor possible. Do not call 911 unless you need to report an emergency, such as a fire, medical emergency or severe building damage. 911 lines need to be kept open and available for emergency calls.

  • Get out of vehicles, trailers, and mobile homes immediately and go to the lowest floor of a sturdy nearby building or a storm shelter.

  • If caught outside with no shelter, lie flat in a nearby ditch or depression and cover your head with your hands. Be aware of potential for flooding.

  • Never try to outrun a tornado in a car or truck; instead, leave the vehicle immediately for safe shelter. Tornadoes are erratic and move swiftly.

  • Watch out for flying debris. Flying debris from tornadoes causes most fatalities and injuries.

 

Snow

  • Snow Alert means that the roadways are potentially hazardous with drifting snow and wind. Roads will most likely be icy as well, so drive carefully.
  • Snow Advisory means that roadways are hazardous with drifting snow and strong winds. Only drive if it is extremely necessary to travel somewhere. Consider contacting your employer to see if you should report to work.
  • Snow Emergency means that all roadways are closed to everybody except emergency personnel. Nobody should be out driving in conditions like this unless it's an absolute emergency situation requiring you to do so. Everybody should contact their employers to see if they should report to work. Those traveling on roadways could possibly be subject to arrest.

 

Heat

  • Heat Advisory & Alert -- At times during summer months, the heat can be extremely dangerous given the right conditions. Please take a look at our heat safety tips [pdf] to help prevent an emergency situation from occuring.

 

 

For more information, contact Mary Lindsey.


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