Campus Severe Weather Warning System
The University has implemented a severe weather warning system as part of its ongoing fire and life safety systems upgrade. This system allows Public Safety to play pre-recorded announcements in many of the campus buildings when severe weather threatens.
This system will be used in conjunction with the existing Hamilton County siren warning system. The sirens effectively warn persons out of doors, however they do not provide good coverage indoors. The campus system delivers the warnings to persons inside the buildings, as well as providing more detailed instructions. The sirens and the campus system will are activated for severe weather warnings only, not for watches.
For buildings which are not yet covered by the campus severe weather warning system, we recommend departments and colleges purchase weather alert radios. These inexpensive radios will sound an alarm when either a watch or a warning is issued, as well as playing the official National Weather Service bulletins.
A severe thunderstorm WATCH indicates that conditions are favorable for the formation of a thunderstorm of 58 mph or greater. Hail with a diameter of ¾" or more may also be present. A severe thunderstorm WARNING is issued when severe thunderstorms have developed in the area. Shelter should be sought indoors, away from windows.
A tornado WATCH indicates that weather conditions are such that tornadoes can develop, as well as implying that thunderstorm activity may be severe. A tornado WARNING indicates that a tornado has actually been sighted in the reporting area. Immediate shelter should be taken in the lowest interior area of a building. Avoid long span roof areas (auditoriums, gymnasiums) and areas with large amounts of glass.
The Hamilton County warning sirens use a steady tone to indicate a severe weather warning (a rise fall tone is used for an attack warning). Both tones are tested on the first and third Wednesday of each month at 12:00 noon, unless there is a threat of severe weather. The campus severe weather warning system will be tested at the same time during the months of March through July.