Emergency Guidelines
Severe Imminent Weather
Preparations before a major storm
- Have flashlights and fresh batteries ready. Remember no candles are permitted in the residence halls.
- Obtain a battery-operated radio. Tune to a local TV/radio station or check on-line for the latest information on the storm's progress.
- Collect some bottled water and non-perishable food.
- Make sure your cell phones, laptop computers and other electronic devices are fully charged.
- If you live in off campus residence, bring any patio furniture and other outdoor accessories inside so that they do not blow into glass doors and windows.
During a storm
- Stay in your residence hall. Do not go outside. Downed electrical lines, flying debris, and flash flooding can be life threatening.
- Keep away from windows, glass doors and skylights. Breaking glass can cause severe injuries.
- Keep your blinds and/or curtains drawn and your windows tightly shut.
- Follow directions from your RAs and College employees.
- Use your flashlights - DO NOT USE OPEN FLAMES such as candles or kerosene lamps.
- If an injury of a life-threatening nature should occur, call 9-911 (from campus phones) immediately.
If a tornado watch is announced
- Remain calm and stay inside.
- A "watch" indicates that conditions are favorable for the formation of a tornado in the area and a "warning" indicates that a tornado is imminent or has touched down in the area. If a tornado watch is announced for the Kent or Queen Anne’s county pay careful attention to radio, TV or Internet reports in case it is upgraded to a warning. If the power is out, listen to your battery-operated radios and heed the advice of your RAs.
If a tornado warning is announced
- A "warning" indicates that spotters have actually sighted a tornado or indicated on radar and is occurring or imminent in the warning area.
If inside during a tornado warning
- Seek immediate shelter.
- Go to a basement or lowest level of the building.
- If there is no basement, go to an interior hallway away from exterior windows.
- Close all doors to rooms with exterior windows.
- Stay away from all windows and other glassed areas.
- Use arms to protect head and neck.
- Avoid auditoriums and gymnasiums or other structures with wide, free-span roofs.
If outdoors during a tornado warning
- If possible, get inside a building.
- If shelter is not available, lie in a ditch or low-lying area.
- Use arms to protect head and neck.
In case of a power outage on campus
- For a short-term disruption there is typically no need to do anything more than remain where you are unless doing so presents a safety hazard.
- Do not light candles, use flashlights only.
If the power outage is expected to be of extended duration you will be notified of where to go by either posted flyers on bulletin boards and first floor entryways of major campus buildings or by text message.
Protect your computer and other electronics
- Unplug all expensive electronics, computers, and peripherals to protect them from damage due to power surges.
- Move your electronic equipment and computers to a protected location in your room or office away from a window and cover them with plastic. Lower window blinds to deter possible broken glass.