Prepare for Severe Weather, Including Tornadoes, Before They Happen

Tornadoes ripped through large portions of Oklahoma on Wednesday, marking the start of tornado season. The ensuing devastation, including loss of life, is a reminder to prepare for severe weather before it arrives.

According to Assistant Chief Jeff Corcoran, director of the University of Cincinnati’s  Emergency Services Office, "The University has a number of programs in place to help prevent as well as respond to emergencies and to warn the campus community of either natural or man-made hazards.”

Information on UC’s Emergency Preparedness is available here:

http://www.uc.edu/publicsafety/staying-safe/preparedness.html

It includes the tools UC will use to communicate an emergency. These include

• Voice notification system
• Text message
• E-mail
• Electronic signage board
• Web
• Social Media
• Campus Safety Network (Nixle)
  

See the link specifically related to tornado preparedness:

http://www.uc.edu/content/dam/uc/publicsafety/docs/preparing_for_tornados.pdf

See the link listing campus shelter locations:

http://www.uc.edu/content/dam/uc/publicsafety/docs/SHELTER_LOCATIONS.pdf

In general, tornado-safe spots are in areas such as interior stairwells, interior classrooms, offices and restrooms, in the lowest interior area of a building. Avoid long span roof areas (auditoriums and gymnasiums) and rooms or areas with windows.