Severe storms are in the forecast for the Upstate this week, so it is important to take time now to review what to do in the event of a weather-related emergency.
Campus warning system
When SkyGuard, the university’s contract monitoring service, issues a tornado warning, Clemson sets into motion a multi-part procedure to get the word out:
- Campus sirens are activated.
- CU Safe Alert email messages are sent to all those with @clemson.edu addresses.
- Text messages are sent to those who text capability and cell phones on record.
- Building security coordinators on campus are notified so they can help spread the word.
Clemson University’s tone and voice sirens are intended to warn people outside campus buildings of impending severe weather or other emergencies. In a weather emergency, the sirens will sound a tone and a brief voice message will announce tornado warning or lightning warning and advise that you seek shelter.
Regardless of which sirens you hear, you should:
- Stop what you are doing.
- Evaluate your surroundings and seek information about the nature of the warning.
- Be prepared to take immediate self-protective action, which may include seeking appropriate shelter or remaining where you are.
Take time now to:
- Review the information below and on the Campus Safety Web page at:
- http://www.clemson.edu/cusafety/
- Know what to do if a warning is given. A tornado warning means a tornado has been sighted in the area.
- Make a plan of action for future emergencies.
- Check out the buildings where you work, teach, learn and live. Where will you go for shelter? The safest places are:
- A basement area with no windows
- A bottom-floor hallway
- An interior hallway or interior room with no windows
And when severe weather comes:
- Give assistance to others.
- Share weather information with your colleagues and friends.
- Lead students in your class to a safe place and keep them there until an “all clear” is announced.
DO NOT SEEK REFUGE OUTSIDE. However, if there is no other choice, plan to lie flat in a ditch or culvert.
WHAT TO LOOK AND LISTEN FOR:
A TORNADO WATCH indicates that conditions are right for spawning tornadoes. If a TORNADO WATCH is issued, designate an observer to monitor weather conditions.
A TORNADO WARNING means a tornado has been sighted in the area. When a TORNADO WARNING is announced in your area, go immediately to your pre-planned refuge.
If clouds become stormy or rough in appearance, tune in to local radio or area television broadcasts for possible advisories from the National Weather Service or from Clemson’s warning system. Remain alert for a worsening sky and the approach of storms.
Upon observing dark, rolling clouds, unusual lightning, hail, driving rain, sudden increase in wind or a funnel cloud, go immediately to your refuge. Upon hearing a buzzing or roaring sound, run to your refuge.
If you see dark, rolling clouds, unusual lightning, hail, driving rain, sudden increase in wind or a funnel cloud, act immediately, even if you’ve heard no TORNADO WATCH for your area.
Additional resources
For more information on campus safety, go to:
http://www.clemson.edu/cusafety/
For specific information about severe weather, go to:
http://www.clemson.edu/cusafety/situations/severe-weather.html
