PREPARATION FOR SEVERE WEATHER

Strong thunderstorms and tornadoes occur in many parts of the world, but are most common in the United States. In an average year, 800 tornadoes are reported nationwide. An average of 80 deaths and more than 1,500 people are reported injured in the U.S. every year. A tornado is defined as a violently rotating column of air extending from a thunderstorm to the ground. The most violent tornadoes are capable of widespread destruction with wind speeds of 250 mph or more.

Tornadoes are most likely to occur between 3PM and 9 PM, but have occurred during all hours of the day and night. The "average" tornado moves from southwest to northeast, but tornadoes can move in any direction. The average forward speed for a tornado is 30 mph, but can vary from nearly stationary to 70 mph.

Please be aware of the following types of severe weather advisories issued by the National Weather Service:

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH: Severe thunderstorms are possible in your area. Thunderstorms are defined as severe if they produce winds in excess of 58 mph, and/or produce hail ¾ of an inch in diameter or larger.

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING: Severe thunderstorms are occurring, or imminent. Keep in mind that tornadoes occasionally develop in areas where severe thunderstorm watches or warnings are in effect. Remain alert to signs of an approaching tornado and seek shelter if threatening conditions exist.

A TORNADO WATCH: Tornadoes are possible in the area. Remain alert for approaching storms. Be prepared to move to a safe location.

A TORNADO WARNING: A tornado has been sighted, or is imminent. If a tornado warning has been issued for your area, move to your pre-designated place of safety.

If you are on campus when a tornado warning has been issued, you should move to the lower level of whatever building you are in. DO NOT go outside to check the weather. If an underground area is not available, move to an interior room or hallway on the lowest floor. Crouch down against a wall or get under a sturdy piece of furniture. Auditoriums, gymnasiums, and other structures with high, wide-span roofs do not offer good protection. Stay away from windows and exterior doors.

If you are outdoors, DO NOT attempt to outrun a tornado in a bus, truck, or car; instead, abandon it for a strong building. If you are on the road, remember that overpasses offer little protection from tornadoes and should not be used as shelters. If caught in the open, take cover in a ditch or low spot. Remember, this will not provide the same protection as a sturdy building. Occasionally, tornadoes develop so rapidly that advance warning is not possible. Remain alert for signs of an approaching tornado.

FLYING DEBRIS FROM TORNADOES CAUSES MOST DEATHS AND INJURIES.
(SOURCE: NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE)

If stormy weather, listen to your radio and/or television station for weather service reports. Area radio stations include:*

RADIO STATIONS
LOCAL IOWA TELEVISION STATIONS
KGRN, 1410 AM, Grinnell;
Channel 8 KCCI
KCOB, 1280 AM, Newton;
Channel 13 WHO
KFJB, 1230 AM, Marshalltown;
Channel 5 WOI
WHO, 1040 AM, Des Moines;
Channel 9 KWWL
KRNT, 1350 AM, Des Moines.
KCJJ, 1560 AM, Iowa City
The FOX, 100.7 AM, Iowa City
*This is not an all inclusive list.


For your convenience, several news stations offer an email weather notification service. As a subscriber to these free services, you will receive automatic notices whenever weather developments occur in your area. To review the benefits of these services and to subscribe, cut & past the link to your browser or click here: WHO: http://www.whotv.com/Global/story.asp?S=1666030&nav=LotmLXVD; KCCI: www.kcci.com/weather/2126644/detail.html; Below is a list of other helpful web sites with information about severe weather, lightning, thunderstorms, hail, high winds and driving safety: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/; http://www.dot.state.ia.us/; http://www.dot.state.ia.us/weather_links.htm; http://www.weather.com/activities/driving/drivingsafetytips/thunder.html?from=iForecast.

2. If the storm increases in intensity, listen to your radio (portable transistor is best). The Weather Service will report if this area is under a severe thunderstorm or tornado watch. A watch means that conditions exist that a severe storm or tornado are possible. A warning means that a severe storm or tornado has been sighted. If a warning is issued for Grinnell and Poweshiek County, seek appropriate shelter as noted below.

3. If a tornado is sighted in the area, warning sirens will sound. The sirens will make a long, continuous, loud sound. When you hear it during a storm, do not hesitate. Take shelter immediately. (There is no all clear signal -- you must use your own judgment on resuming normal activities. Note: the sirens are tested at 9:00 a.m. each Thursday during the tornado season and a noon bell will ring at 12:00 p.m. on everyday except Sunday.)

4. DURING A WARNING: a. Go to the lowest floor of any building you are in, such as a basement or dormitory pit. Go to interior spaces or rooms that face east, preferably north and East. (Rooms facing north and east are usually safer than those that face south and west.)
b. Get into a room or area without windows. If this is not possible, stay away from the windows or exterior walls. Get behind/under a heavy piece of furniture or object to protect against flying debris.
c. Avoid corridors, particularly those facing west or south. If you have to take shelter in one try to stay away from the glass areas.
d. Avoid any building with a long-span flat roof or large open spaces in its interior if possible.
5. If in a car and there is a tornado warning, get out of the car and seek shelter in the lowest level of a nearby building. If there is not enough time, lie flat in a ditch or other depression off the roadway.
6. Don't call the College switchboard, Facilities Management, Security Department, or the City Police or Fire during a tornado warning period unless there is a clear emergency. These lines should be kept open for emergency purposes only.
SEVERE WEATHER LOCATIONS For Grinnell College Buildings

Address Basement Access

1102 BROAD - Lowest level near interior structural supports. Internal

1002 PARK - Lowest level near interior structural supports. Internal

1008 PARK - Lowest level near interior structural supports. Internal

1019 PARK - (Student) Basement Room Key will open External

1023 PARK - (Student) Basement Open Internal

1121 PARK - Nollen House lowest level near interior structural supports. Internal

1131 PARK (Harry Hopkins House) - Lowest level near interior structural supports. Internal

1233 PARK - (Chaplain Office) Lowest level near interior structural supports. Internal

1321 PARK - (Reading Lab) Lowest level near interior structural supports. Internal

1022 Park- Lowest Level near interior structural supports. Internal

1207 Park (Pre-School) Basement of 1217 Park External

ARH - Go to the first floor corridor, away from windows.

ATHLETIC CENTER/DARBY - Lowest level near auxiliary gym hallway. Internal

Bookstore- Lowest level near interior structural supports Internal

BUCKSBAUM CENTER FOR THE ARTS - Lowest level hallways. Internal

Career Development Office-(1127 Park) Lowest level near structural support External

CARNEGIE - Go to the first floor corridor of ARH, away from windows Internal

CONARD ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AREA - Lowest level near Internal interior structural supports

JOE ROSENFIELD CENTER - Basement access is down elevator or east side stairs. Internal

FACILITIES MANAGEMENT - Office file room, interior rooms, and restroom areas. N/A

FACULTY HOUSE - (1303 Park) South lowest level room. Internal

FORUM - Lowest level near solid, structural walls and . Internal away from exterior rooms with large windows.

GLOVE FACTORY - Accounting Office lowest level file room, Internal Human Resources Office file room and lowest level restrooms.

GOODNOW - Lowest level near interior structural supports. Internal

GRINNELL HOUSE -(1011 Park Street) Lowest level near interior structural supports. Internal

HARRIS CENTER - Interior bathrooms and storage areas behind Concert Hall. N/A

HEALTH CENTER- Away from windows. See Forum building. Internal

Harry Hopkins House- (1131 Park) Basement near interior support Internal

JOHN CHRYSTAL CENTER- Lowest level Internal

BURLING LIBRARY - Lowest level near central stairs and elevator shaft. Internal

MEARS COTTAGE - Lowest level near interior structural supports. Internal

PEC - Lowest level close to cage with doors closed or bathrooms. Internal

NOYCE SCIENCE BUILDING- Lowest level rooms away from exterior windows. Internal

STEINER - Lowest level near interior structural supports. Internal

1205 PARK (MACY HOUSE) Lowest Level Near Interior Supports Internal

WINDSOR HOUSE (1026 Park) - Lowest level, southeast area. Internal



RESIDENCE HALLS- GO TO LOWEST LEVEL IF IN DOUBT. SEE BELOW

Clark- Basement Internal

Cleveland-Basement Internal

Cowles- Go to Dibble Laundry room

Dibble- Laundry room Internal

Dibble Annex- Go to Dibble Laundry room

Rathje Hall- Basement Internal

Gates- Basement Internal

Haines- Basement Internal

Hannibal Kershaw-Basement Internal

James- Basement Internal

Langan- Basement Internal

Lazier-Basement Internal

Loose- Basement Internal

Main-Basement Internal

Norris-Basement Internal

Rawson-Basement Internal

Read- Basement Internal

Rose- Basement Internal

Smith Hall-Basement Internal

Smith Annex - Go to Smith Hall basement

Younker HALL-Basement Internal

1003 Tenth Ave-(Student) BCC, Basement Internal

1316 Park-(Student) Lowest level near Interior structural supports Internal

1227 Park (Student) Basement, room key will open External

1221 Park (Student) Basement, room key will open External

1217 Park (Student) Basement, room key will open External

1130 East (Student) Basement open Internal

1128 East-(Pine Tree House) Basement, room key will open External


It should be noted that the Campus Safety and Security Office will generally respond to Severe Weather as stated in this document. However, there may be times when notification cannot be made in the manner described in this document. Campus members should be aware of this and use radio, television and internet methods of tracking severe weather when they suspect that bad weather is coming. Campus members should also be aware of locations within their buildings and areas to move to in case of the severe weather.