It’s tornado season; be prepared

During severe weather conditions, members of the campus community should seek information from online sources such as weather.com or from local news media outlets that provide National Weather Service information, such as the campus’s NPR affiliate, KMST.

If conditions are favorable for a tornado, listen for the City of Rolla’s civil defense sirens to sound and take shelter immediately. Missouri S&T may issue an electronic notification in the event of a tornado warning in Phelps County, if time permits.

What’s the difference between a tornado watch and a warning?

Tornado watch means conditions are favorable for the development of a tornado. Watches are usually issued several hours in advance of the development of a tornado.

Tornado warning means a tornado has been sighted or meteorologists are seeing signs on radar that a tornado is imminent. You should take shelter immediately when a tornado warning is issued.

• Stay away from windows and doors
• Seek refuge on lower floors (interior corridors) of buildings
• Get under desks or tables and protect your head
• If you’re outside, seek refuge in ditches
• If you’re in a car, evacuate car, seek refuge in ditch

For more tornado safety tips, download this tornado safety checklist (PDF) from the Red Cross.