Severe Weather Procedures

DEFINITIONS

1. SEVERE WEATHER - Any condition of the weather either observed or received through weather bureau broadcast indicating developing stormy conditions.

During severe weather alerts the following personnel will monitor local weather condition

1. DEAN OF STUDENTS.
   b. CAMPUS POLICE OFFICER - will have prime responsibility for monitoring the weather after hours and weekends.
2. TORNADO WATCH - means tornados are expected to develop. Take no action but keep advised by radio/TV and visual observation as weather conditions develop.
3. TORNADO WARNING - means a tornado has actually been sighted or indicated by radar. Take cover (instructions below) and keep advised of conditions.

Should the Levelland area come under tornado warning, the campus will be notified using the emergency alert procedure. Upon receipt of a tornado warning for the Levelland area, everyone shall immediately take the predetermined safety precautions indicated below.

The decision to initiate the tornado warning on campus shall be based on any of the following facts:

1. A call from the Levelland Police Department giving a tornado warning.
   b. Levelland Radio Station KLVT broadcasting a tornado warning for the Levelland area.
   c. Actual visual sighting of an approaching tornado.
   d. Police siren
   e. Civil Defense weather sirens.

EMERGENCY ALERT PROCEDURES

1. DURING OFFICE/DAY CLASS HOURS MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAYS, FROM 8:00 A.M. UNTIL 4:00 P.M. (USED FOR TORNADO WARNING):
2. Telephones in Administrative Business Offices in the Administrative Building will be utilized to initiate the "TORNADO WARNING, TAKE COVER" alerts. A predetermined list of telephone numbers shall be prepared and posted so that each building on campus is notified in minimum of time.
   b. Upon receipt of the "TORNADO WARNING," all personnel in each building should be alerted and take immediate safety precautions as indicated below.
   c. An "ALL CLEAR" will be issued using same call procedure.
3. DURING AFTER OFFICE HOURS (after 4:00 p.m..) AND WEEKENDS (Residence Halls, Cafeteria, Night Classes, Special Events):
4. The night security person in the Marvin L. Baker Center Lobby (Ext. 2427) will initiate the "TORNADO WARNING, TAKE COVER" alerts. Should the operator at the Technical Arts Center receive the alert from the police station before 9:00 p.m.,. she must notify the above person at extension 2427 so the alert can be initiated there.
   b. The campus night security officer will monitor weather conditions and will also alert the campus by using his patrol vehicle siren during "TORNADO WARNING" conditions. A call list is distributed annually to alert the campus.

IMMEDIATE ACTION PROCEDURES WHEN "TORNADO WARNING -TAKE COVER" ALERT IS ISSUED.

1. Do not leave your building.
2. Stay away from glass (windows and doors).
3. Avoid outside walls.
4. Go to ground-level floors in multi-story buildings (Library, Technical Arts Building, and Magee Hall).
5. Go to interior hallways, closets, etc.
6. In Texan Dome, go to hallways by offices upstairs. Do not stay on floor of the dome or in dressing rooms downstairs.
7. In dorms, take mattresses to hallways for protection from flying debris.
8. Never open windows or doors.
9. Stay out of autos--do not try to evade a tornado in an auto.
10. ANYONE in a building receiving the "TORNADO WARNING - TAKE COVER" alert is responsible for alerting everyone in that building immediately.
11. Do not rely totally on an official tornado warning. If you suspect we are in the path of a tornado, take the above actions.