Severe Weather Awareness Week

March 2-6, 2009

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Tips of the Day

Tornados

On Wednesday, March 4, 2009, the National Weather Service (NWS) will hold a statewide tornado drill.  At approximately 9:30am, the NWS will send an alert over the NOAA Weather and All Hazards Radios.  At the sound of this alert, weather radio holders are encouraged to conduct tornado response activities as if a real event were occurring.  If you currently do not have a weather radio, you are encouraged to practice tornado procedures on your own or with your department at this time. 

A tornado is a violently rotating column of air extending from a thunderstorm to the ground.  Tornados can occur at any time of the year, but the peak season here in the South Eastern United States occurs from March until May.  Tornados can also result from hurricanes.  Be prepared and know these safety tips about tornados:

• A Tornado Watch means that tornadoes and severe thunderstorms are possible in the Watch area.

• A Tornado Warning means that conditions are conducive to tornado formation, or that a tornado has actually been sighted somewhere in the warning area and more tornadoes are possible.

• Report any revolving funnel-shaped clouds to authorities, including UNCW Police and the National Weather Service, Wilmington.

• UNCW Police: 911

• National Weather Service, Wilmington: 1-800-697-3901

• In the event of a tornado, or any severe weather, stay tuned to local media, the UNCW Safety and Emergency Web site, and all of UNCW’s emergency notification methods, including the Seahawk Warning Siren System.  The siren will be sounded if a tornado is sighted on or near the campus or if the NWS issues a tornado warning for the campus.

• If a tornado is sighted approaching the campus (tornado warning):

• If you are insides, stay indoors.  If you are outside, go inside the nearest building.

• If time permits, go to the interior hallway on the lowest floor.

• If time does not permit, go to the safest area of your classroom or office (an inside wall) furthest away from the doors and windows.

• Avoid windows, auditoriums, gymnasiums, or other structures with wide, free-span roofs (Task Coliseum and Warwick Center Ballroom).

• Take shelter underneath a desk or any heavy furniture available.

• Assume a curled position to protect your head and eyes.
• After a tornado:

• Continue to pay attention to UNCW’s emergency notification tools and National Weather Service warnings and watches.  Severe weather may continue.

• Use caution when traveling on campus and avoid debris.

• Report any severe damages to UNCW Police.

For a complete copy of UNCW’s tornado procedures, please visit http://www.uncw.edu/ba/safety/emergency_management.html.

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