By Mary Erin Morrissey, Deputy Director of Emergency Management
The signs of spring have encompassed campus – volleyball on Bowman Field, the Spring Game and several layers of pollen on, well, everything. Also among the signs of spring is the possibility of severe weather, which can impact our campus community.
To prepare for severe weather:
- Learn the difference between watches and warnings:
- Tornado Watch: Tornadoes are possible in and near the watch area
- Tornado Warning: A tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar
- Severe Thunderstorm Watch: Severe thunderstorms are possible in and near the watch area
- Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Severe weather has been reported by spotters or indicated by radar
- Ensure you are notified of severe weather in our area:
- CU Safe text alerts: Ensure you are registered for these alerts, and verify your cell phone number.
- Alertus: Along with CU Safe Text Alerts, Clemson University will utilize our network by displaying critical safety information if you download the Alertus software. All students, faculty and staff can download this from the CCIT website.
- Sirens: When lightning is within eight miles of campus or a tornado warning has been issued, campus sirens will sound to alert so you can act as soon as possible
- Social Media: All CU Safe text alerts will also post to the @CUSafety account on twitter
- Innovation sites: Students, faculty and staff at Innovation sites should visit the emergency management website for their county, research what they send notifications for, and sign up for the notifications
- Have a plan:
- Seek a safer place: Wherever you go, be aware of your surroundings and think through what the safest place is to go if severe weather strikes.
- Make and practice a plan: Use available tools to make a plan for yourself and your loved ones so you are ready when disaster strikes.
When it is time to react to severe weather:
- Act quickly: Prepare to act watches are issued and immediately react when warnings are issued. You may only have minutes before severe weather hits
- Seek a safer place: Wherever you go, be aware of your surroundings and think through what is the safest place to go if severe weather strikes. The better locations are:
- Away from windows
- Lowest level of the building
- Put as many walls as possible between you and the outside
Click here to access detailed information on severe weather and other emergency procedures.
