Severe Weather Procedures
Severe Weather Procedures
Severe weather can develop quickly. Glen Oaks Community College shares these procedures so students, employees, and visitors know what to do during a tornado watch or tornado warning.
Your safety matters. During severe weather, follow college alerts, move to designated shelter areas when instructed, and remain there until an all clear is given.
What to know during severe weather
Some severe weather events, including strong winds, heavy rain, and tornadoes, may require people on campus to move to sheltered areas inside the college. In these situations, do not leave the building unless directed to do so. Moving outside during severe weather can increase the risk of injury.
Advanced planning and a quick response are important during dangerous weather. Everyone on campus is expected to take responsibility for their own safety and follow college instructions.
How Glen Oaks shares severe weather alerts
The college will monitor inclement weather and will respond to all levels of notifications from the National Weather Service. The college will notify students, faculty and staff via local media which may include: phone system, television broadcast, website, and texting. If a “take cover warning” is issued by the National Weather Service, building occupants will immediately be notified and should move to sheltered areas at that time.
Tornado Watch
Weather conditions are favorable for a tornado to develop.
In the event of a tornado WATCH, you should:
- Be alert for approaching storms.
- Listen for the phone paging system and other college media, which will indicate the weather situation worsening.
- Continue with classes, exams, and college business/operations in the absence of further instructions.
- The athletic department will alert any teams out on the athletic fields.
Tornado Warning
A tornado or funnel cloud has been sighted, or is indicated on weather radar.
In the event of a tornado WARNING, College policy requires the following:
- Instructors will stop any classes or exams that are taking place and will direct all students to the appropriate tornado safe waiting area as needed.
- A tornado WARNING will be passed on to building occupants via the Telephone Alert System, email, etc.
- Building occupants will prepare to go to the tornado safe waiting area in whichever area they are in at the time of the Tornado WARNING being issued. Shelter maps will be located throughout the building (general rule: a shelter area will be an interior area below the top floor of the building without any windows or exterior doors).
- Building occupants should remain in the protected area until the tornado or severe weather has passed and they have received an all clear. At that point, classes and college business/operations will resume as permitted by the impact of the severe weather.