HAZARDS & THREATS

Severe Weather

Tornado Watch and Warning
Sheltering during a storm if inside a building

• Go to the basement or to an inside hallway at the lowest level of the building.
• Take your personal belongings if time permits (laptops, purses, book bags, etc.).
• Secure your work computer if time permits (log off and shut down to minimize damage and potential loss of data).
• Lock offices and secure sensitive or confidential items (grade books, financial records, etc.) if time permits.
• Avoid places with wide-span roofs such as auditoriums, theater style rooms, cafeterias, large hallways or gymnasiums.
• Stay away from exterior windows and doors as well as display cases, shelving or wall-mounted audio-visual equipment that could collapse on top of you.
• Get under a piece of sturdy furniture (if available) such as a workbench, heavy table, or desk, and hold on to it.
• Use your arms to protect your head and neck.

Sheltering during a storm if outdoors, in a vehicle, or on a campus bus

• Get inside a building, if possible.
• Follow the instructions of your bus driver if you are riding campus transit or a city bus.
• Lie in a low-lying area, or crouch near a strong building if shelter is not available or if there is no time to get indoors.
• Be aware of the potential for flash flooding.
• Use your arms to protect to your head and neck.

Post-storm suggestions

• Help injured, trapped, or people with disabilities or special needs.
• Give first aid when appropriate. Do not try to move the seriously injured unless they are in immediate danger of further injury. Call the University Police at 229-430-4711 or 911 for help.
• Watch out for downed power lines and other damaged utilities when evacuating.
• Turn on a radio or television to get the latest emergency information.>
• Stay out of damaged buildings. Return only when campus officials deem the building(s) to be safe.
• Use telephones for emergency calls only after severe weather.
• Avoid spilled medicines, bleaches, gasoline or other flammable liquids. Do not attempt to clean up spills without proper equipment.
• Leave the buildings if you smell gas or chemical fumes and notify the University Police at 229-430-4711.

Winter Storm

The major dangers of winter storms are intense cold, power outages and breakdown of transportation because of poor visibility and road conditions.
One of three announcements will be made:

• “University is open and operating on a regular schedule”
• “University is closed”
• “University will delay opening or specific events until a specific time”

Announcements will be distributed in the following ways:

• Posting to the university home page
• Announcement through local media
• Panther Alert Mass Notification System