Tornado

Whenever possible, weather alerts will be issued by Campus Safety and the Department of Student Affairs via e-mail to all faculty, staff and students with Rhodes e-mail accounts. The two tornado designations are:

• Tornado Watch—There is a chance of a tornado forming.
• Tornado Warning—A tornado has been seen or detected by radar.

Responding to a sighted tornado or a tornado warning

If indoors:

• Move quickly to a safe interior area without windows.
• Move to the lowest levels using stairways.
• Stay away from windows, doors and exterior walls.
• DO NOT go outdoors.

If outdoors:

• Get inside if possible.
• Stay away from trees, power lines and utility poles.
• Find a low-lying area such as a ditch, stay low and cover your head and neck to avoid flying debris.
• Stay sheltered until the sirens cease or you are notified by Campus Safety or a Residence Life staff member that it is safe to leave.

Weather updates are available at:

• weather.com
• wmcstations.com
• Local TV Channels 3 & 5

Weather warning siren system

• Warning sirens are sounded when a Tornado Warning is declared by the National Weather Service within Shelby County. You should move to the lowest floor of whatever building you are in and gather in the central hallway away from windows. Remain in this location until the sirens stop sounding, then return to offices and classrooms to resume work, assuming that no damage or dangerous conditions have been created on campus as a result of the storm.
• All campus activities are suspended while the sirens are sounding—everyone should seek cover within a building.
• Please be aware that testing of these sirens occurs every Wednesday at 3:30pm. No action is warranted during these weekly tests.