Emergency Procedures

Tornado Guidelines

Tornadoes are extremely unpredictable as an event, and once active, are erratic as to velocity and path. Most tornadoes in Florida are spawned by thunderstorms, frontal systems or hurricanes, all of which are common in our area.

Weather Radios

If possible, residential students are encouraged to have in their residence hall rooms a NOAA Weather Alert Radio.

Warnings

It is the responsibility of the National Weather Service to issue tornado warnings for Florida. The fastest access to those warnings is through a NOAA Weather Radio. Often tornadoes are quick to appear and so short-lived that the National Weather Service cannot issue a timely warning. If the National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for our area, tune to NOAA Weather Radio or local television to follow the latest developments and decide at that time where you will go if a tornado is spotted in our vicinity.

Necessary Actions

If you receive a warning that a tornado is approaching, take the following steps:

• Take cover immediately.
• If you are outside, move immediately to a well-constructed building nearby. If you cannot get to a shelter, move to a low spot such as a ditch or a culvert and stay as low to the ground as possible.
• If you are inside a building, find the most central space on the lowest floor of the building to which you have access, preferably away from doors and windows. If possible, take cover under a desk, table, mattress, or other protective item. Stay as low to the floor as possible.
• If you must go outdoors immediately after a severe storm, watch for fallen power lines and hazardous debris.