Tornado/Severe Weather Emergency Procedures

A Tornado Warning is issued when a tornado has been sighted in the area.

•  Notification of a Tornado Warning will be made by one or more of the following: 
  
  
  •  CALVES
  •  Activation of the Outdoor Warning System on campus will start with a siren, followed by verbal instructions. Off campus, the Community Outdoor Warning System (C.O.W.S.) will activate with a siren only.  The outdoor warnings may not be heard inside buildings.
  •  WKU Alert – including emergency text messages, mass e-mails, messages posted to wku.edu, or messages posted to the WKU Facebook page, Twitter feed and News feed.
  • Over local radio, television, or weather radio stations.
  • Or, by visual observation.
    
    
• If a tornado warning is issued,
• Relocate to the designated tornado shelter area as defined in the Building Emergency Floor Plans posted in the building.  Take your keys and jacket/umbrella with you.
• Do NOT use elevator. Use stairs.  Mobility impaired persons only may use the elevators.
• Do NOT stop to lock doors.
• Use your judgment. If unable to reach designated shelter areas:

1. Take cover in a structurally reinforced area such as interior corridors, restrooms or under stairwell.
2. Avoid glass windows, walls or partitions and outside doors or walls. Stay away from lobby areas, or areas with large ceiling spans.

•  Sit on the floor of the shelter area covering upper body and head with a jacket or heavy cloth and wait for the all-clear signal.
• If the building is damaged evacuation may become necessary.  Follow evacuation procedures.

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

A Severe Thunderstorm Warning is issued when a Severe Thunderstorm is in the area.

• Stay indoors and away from windows until the storm passes.
• Monitor weather information for updates.

Tornado Watch/Severe Thunderstorm Watch

Tornado Watch:  conditions are favorable for development of a Tornado

Severe Thunderstorm Watch:  conditions are favorable for development of a Severe Thunderstorm

• Monitor weather information for updates.