Instructions for Specific Emergencies

Severe Weather

The Meadville area is at times subjected to severe weather, including tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, ice storms, and severe snowstorms. Warnings and watches for tornadoes are given over radio and television. A watch indicates that conditions are right for a tornado. A warning indicates that a potential tornado has been sighted.

In addition, tornado warnings are indicated by the activation of the Civil Defense air raid siren. This siren will sound steadily for one minute in a repetition of three when a tornado warning is issued. The sirens will be sounded repeatedly during the warning. The campus sirens will also sound to ensure that community members are aware that an emergency exists.

IF A TORNADO WARNING IS ISSUED

1. If you are indoors:
   1. Inform others of the warning.
   2. Take shelter in a basement or in an interior hallway. Follow the tornado warning signs to a safe area. Sit beneath a desk or heavy table. If none is available, sit facing the wall with your head between your knees and your hands covering the back of your head. Stay away from large open areas such as auditoriums and lecture halls unless designated as a "Safety Area."
   3. Stay away from windows and outside walls.
2. If you are outdoors:
   1. If you cannot reach shelter in a building, lay flat in a ditch or depression. Lay face down and cover your nose and mouth with a cloth.
   2. If you are in a car, drive away from the tornado at a right angle. If you cannot escape, take shelter as described above.

OTHER SEVERE WEATHER

The President or his designee will make the decision to curtail or cease College operation in severe weather.