Severe Thunderstorm Watch

Severe thunderstorms are possible in and near the watch area. Stay informed and be ready to act if a severe thunderstorm warning is issued. The watch area is typically large, covering numerous counties or even states.

Campus Safety will, when possible:

Closely monitor police scanners, weather radio, and local conditions.

 

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

Severe weather has been reported by spotters or indicated by radar. Warnings indicate imminent danger to life and property. Take shelter in a substantial building.  Warnings typically encompass a much smaller area (around the size of a city or small county) that may be impacted by a large hail or damaging wind identified by an NWS forecaster on radar or by a trained spotter/law enforcement who is watching the storm.

Campus Safety will, when possible:

Closely monitor police scanners,  weather radio, and local conditions.

 

Tornado Watch

Tornadoes are possible in and near the watch area. Review and discuss your emergency plans. Be ready to act quickly if a warning is issued or you suspect a tornado is approaching. Acting early helps to save lives. Watches are issued by the Storm Prediction Center for counties where tornadoes may occur. The watch area is typically large, covering numerous counties or even states.

Campus Safety will, when possible:

Closely monitor police scanners, weather radio, and local conditions.

 

 

Tornado Warning

A tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. There is imminent danger to life and property. Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If in a mobile home, a vehicle, or outdoors, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris. Warnings are issued by your local forecast office. Warnings typically encompass a much smaller area (around the size of a city or small county) that may be impacted by a tornado identified by a forecaster on radar or by a trained spotter/law enforcement who is watching the storm.

 Campus Safety will, when possible:

 Closely monitor police scanners, weather radio, and local conditions.

 Notify the campus community using the Baker College Emergency Alert System.

Steps of Action:

• All staff, faculty, students and visitors should take cover in the closest building’s tornado/storm shelter
• Get under a sturdy object (e.g. table or desk), if available.
• Stay low and cover your head.
• Basements, bathrooms, and inside corridors away from all windows/glass are preferred.
• Avoid high bay areas and gymnasium.

Open Areas Outside:

 If you are caught in an open area outside without time to get into a shelter, lie flat in a ravine, ditch or depression in the ground, hold onto something, if possible.

• Do not seek shelter under trees or bushes

 

General Information / Severe Weather

Sheltering in Place – The safest shelter areas are small windowless

interior rooms or interior corridors on the lowest available floor. Try and

choose a location with as many walls between you and the outside world

as possible. Crouch down, make yourself as small as possible. If you have

something to cover your head, do so, if not, use your hands. Take cover

under something sturdy like a desk or table, if possible.

• Stay away from windows and exterior doors.
• Do not use elevators during severe weather.
• Do not seek shelter in the gymnasium or other large free span room.