Basic Guidelines for Severe Weather Conditions

If a tornado/hurricane warning is issued: (Notification will occur via radio and/or TV)

• Upon such notification immediately move to the lowest interior floors of your building, into an enclosed hallway or a room without windows. As you leave your room, close and lock your room door behind you.
• STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS, DOORS, AND OUTSIDE WALLS. PROTECT YOUR HEAD. Be sure to warn others of these precautions. Please note that glass may shatter during the high winds of a tornado, and glass as well as other loose debris such as tree limbs, trashcans, etc., can move through open spaces so please be sure to stay in an enclosed area. (If you can see outside, you are not in a safe place).
• Clear stairwells as quickly as possible to avoid wind tunnel effects.
• Do not evacuate the building unless a fire ensues, or if the building structure is unsafe.
• Do not evacuate into the underground tunnels. These areas are prone to flooding and have high voltage lines.
• After the storm has passed, evaluate the situation and if emergency help is necessary, contact Campus Police at 911.
• If you are outside in your vehicle and you observe a tornado approaching, do not remain in your vehicle. If there is a sturdy structure nearby, go to the lowest level of that structure to obtain protection. If you are out in the open lay in as low an area as possible. Be sure and move as far away from your vehicle as possible to avoid the possibility of being struck by it.

Tips for keeping your belongings safe:

• Close and lock your windows to minimize any dribbles of water that may seep in and soak your walls and window sills.
• If your room has window unit air conditioner, close the vent to decrease the ability for water to enter the room. Consider putting a towel underneath the unit as well to absorb any other water that gets through. We also suggest unplugging the unit until the storm has passed.
• Pick your stuff up off the floor, especially electronic devices. In the event that you do get some rain in your room from an open window or other means, the water tends to soak into the carpet or spread quickly across the wood floors. We recommend that you move computer towers, TVs/DVD players, cell phones, etc to an elevated place in your room (such as on your desktop or dresser).
• Pull your furniture an inch or two away from the walls to prevent condensation or leaks from soaking your belongings.
• Report any leaks to your RA right away! Horizontal rain behaves differently than normal vertical rain and may find a crack that does not normally impact the building.
• Some of the rain may be heavy at times and our storm drains may need a little time to catch up so please let a staff member know if you notice any large puddles of water near the buildings.
• The recent drought has weakened many of the tree limbs around campus. Windy conditions could make some of these branches susceptible to falling. Be cautious when walking underneath trees and report to DUPD any limbs or trees that appear to be in danger of falling.
• Stay attentive to the weather report. In the event that the need for more drastic measures develops (such as evacuation), more information will be made available via university communications (email, websites, or postings).