National Weather Service alerts

  • Tornado Watch

    When a tornado watch has been issued for your area, you should monitor weather radio, local radio, or television for additional watches or warnings. Conditions are favorable for tornados to form in and near the watch area. These conditions are determined by the National Weather Service, which transmits the watch information through weather radio, television, and radio.

    Monitor weather conditions

  • Tornado Warning

    When the National Weather Service issues a tornado warning, the weather radio and the tornado sirens will be activated. The public or local law enforcement has sighted a tornado, or radar has indicated an area of rotation that could develop, or has developed, into a tornado. 

    Take shelter immediately

Safety tips

  • If you are inside a building and hear the tornado siren, go to a basement or windowless interior room on the lowest level; restrooms often are best. Avoid outside walls, elevators, windows, and buildings with large expansive roof structures, like the Armory. Many campus buildings have designated severe weather shelter areas.
  • If you are outside and hear the tornado siren, go to the nearest building and follow the same procedures.
  • If you are driving a car and debris begins flying around you, pull over and park. Do one of the following:
    • Stay in the car, buckle your seatbelt, keep your head below the windows, and cover your head with your hands or a blanket; or
    • If you can safely get to a ditch or area lower than the road, exit the car, lie down, and cover your head.
  • If there is no time to escape or find shelter, lie flat in a ditch or depression, avoiding areas subject to flooding in heavy rains.