Tornado Warnings
In the event that a tornado warning is announced by the National Weather Service, faculty, staff, and students will immediately be notified through WSC’s voice message system within campus buildings, and through the emergency text message system. You might also hear sirens from the city’s siren system.
WSC Campus Security will advise all students, faculty, and staff to proceed to their designated shelter areas. Once conditions improve, Campus Security will announce when it’s safe to leave shelter areas.
What to do in the event of a tornado
The following measures are to be taken if there is a tornado warning (or a tornado is sighted in the vicinity):
If indoors:
- Move to the designated or underground shelter within your building.
- If a designated or underground shelter is not available, move to an interior room or hallway on the lowest floor. For added protection, get under something sturdy such as a heavy table or workbench.
- Stay away from windows. Do NOT open windows. Leave the windows alone; instead, immediately go to a safe place.
- Any fire doors in hallways should be closed.
- Remain in the safe area until all danger has passed.
- If the facility is damaged, evacuate after the storm passes and stay clear of damaged area. Beware of fallen debris, downed power lines and gas leaks.
- Follow the directives of emergency personnel and/or WSC Campus Security.
If outdoors:
- Find shelter quickly. Stay away from auditoriums, gymnasiums, or other structures with large free span roofs.
- If there is no shelter nearby, go to a low-lying area such as a ditch or ravine and lie flat. Protect your head and neck with an object or with your arms. Avoid areas with many trees or cars, as they may be blown onto you.
- Get out of automobiles. Do not try to outrun a tornado in your car; instead, leave it immediately. If caught outside or in a vehicle, lie flat in a nearby ditch or depression.
Tornado watch
A message issued by the National Weather Service that weather conditions are favorable for possible formation of tornadoes. When a tornado watch has been issued, the WSC Campus Security will be responsible for monitoring statements made by the National Weather Service and any updates.
Tornado shelters
| Building | Best available refuge area |
|---|---|
| Residence halls | |
| Anderson Residence Hall | Interior hallways and basement recreation room |
| Bowen Residence Hall | Interior bathrooms, interior hallways, and stairwells |
| Morey Residence Hall | Basement interior hallways away from windows |
| Neihardt Residence Hall | Basement interior hallways away from windows |
| Pile Residence Hall | Basement interior hallways |
| Stearns Residence Hall | Lower interior hallways away from windows |
| Terrace Residence Hall | Basement interior hallways |
| Academic buildings | |
| Benthack Hall | Ground level interior hallway, lower-level bathrooms |
| Brandenburg Building | Ground level interior hallway without windows |
| Carhart Science Building | Ground level interior hallway without windows and planetarium level |
| Center for Applied Technology (CAT) | Ground level interior hallways without windows |
| Connell Hall | Ground level interior hallways without windows |
| Criminal Justice Crime Scene Investigation Facility | Ground level interior hallways without windows |
| Gardner Hall | Ground level interior hallway without windows and growund level restrooms |
| Humanities Building | Ground level interior hallways without windows |
| Peterson Fine Arts Building | Building basement |
| Rice Health and Physical Education Building | Building basement |
| Studio Arts Building | Ground level interior hallways without windows |
| Athletic and recreation facilities | |
| Athletic Recreation Complex / Wildcat Dome | Rice Health and Physical Education Building basement and men's locker room in Rec Center |
| Baseball Complex | Baseball/Softball Complex locker rooms |
| Kirk Gardner Indoor Athletic Center | Ground level interior hallways without windows |
| Memorial Stadium / Swanson Press Box | Varsity weight room, locker rooms, Peterson Fine Arts Building basement, and Rice Health and Physical Education Building basement |
| Recreation Center | Rice Health and Physical Education Building basement and men's locker room in Rec Center |
| Rice Auditorium | Building basement |
| Softball Complex | Baseball/Softball Complex locker rooms |
| Administration and other buildings | |
| Campus Services Building | South men's restroom and break room, interior hallway |
| Energy plant | Student Center lower level away from windows |
| Hahn Administration Building | Building basement |
| Kanter Student Center | Lower level away from windows |
| Quonset hut | Campus Services south men's restroom |
| Rural schoolhouse | Campus Services south men's restroom, break room and interior hallway |
| Stadium services | Stadium services restrooms, Peterson Fine Arts Building basement, and Rice Health and Physical Education Building basement |
| U.S. Conn Library | Building basement and storm shelter |