Tornado Emergency Action Plan (EAP)

Tornadoes are violently rotating columns of air that extend from a thunderstorm to the ground. Tornadoes can destroy buildings, flip cars, and create deadly flying debris. They can happen at anytime and anywhere, with winds over 200 mph.

In the event of a tornado, please follow these outlined procedures and guidelines to ensure the safety of your person and the people around you.

1.Be Alert:

Know the signs of a tornado:

• a rotating, funnel-shaped cloud
• an approaching cloud of debris
• a loud roar like a freight train

Many smart phones and television broadcasts will blast a message from the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and NOAA; notifying you of both Watches and Warnings.

Tornado Watch – Tornadoes are likely to occur in the watch area. Be ready to act quickly and take shelter.

Tornado Warning – Imminent threat – A tornado has been sighted in the area or has been indicated by radar. Take shelter immediately.

2. Get to Safety:

Underground areas, such as basements or storm cellars, provide the best protection from a tornado.  If your residence is equipped with a basement or storm cellar, proceed there.  If your home is not equipped with one, proceed to your neighbor’s home that does have a basement if possible.

If an underground shelter is unavailable, consider the following:

• Seek a small interior room or hallway on the lowest floor possible
• Stay away from doors, windows, and outside walls
• Stay in the center of the room, and avoid corners because they attract debris
• Rooms constructed with reinforced concrete, brick or block with no windows and a heavy concrete floor or roof system overhead
• Avoid auditoriums, cafeterias and gymnasiums that have flat, wide-span roofs.

If caught outdoors when a tornado is threatening, seek shelter in a basement or a sturdy building.

Shelter Locations on Campus

These are the best places to shelter within the buildings on campus.  Please remain at the safest location until the time of the threat has passed and danger is no longer present.

Raws = Basement, Housekeeping Office, basement hallways

                (If staff only, please calmy head down to the housekeeping office & mail room)

(If guests are present, please calmly bring them down to the basement hallways, extending all the way to the pantry)

WAC = Hallway outside locker rooms, locker rooms

(If staff only, please calmy head down to the hallway between the gym and pool)

(If guests are present, please calmy bring them down to the hallway between the gym and pool, utilizing the locker rooms for space if needed)

Victory Hall = Evacuate to nearest location, AC or Raws

SML = Evacuate to Raws

Auditorium = Evacuate to nearest location, AC or Raws

(If staff only, please calmy head down to the boiler room)

Colony of Mercy = Hallways

BP = Basement

Staff Apartments = Evacuate to neighboring basement in the Quad

Return to Normalcy:

 Again, please remain at the safest location until the time of the threat has passed and danger is no longer present.  Once this is clear, safely return to your duties or home.  If any damage or hazards are apparent, please notify the senior staff (VP, Housekeeping, Maintenance) via the radio or cell phone if possible.  If there is a fire, please call 911 immediately.