Watch
Conditions are favorable for a hazardous weather event to occur.
Seek Shelter
Different types of emergencies, including weather events such as severe thunderstorms and tornadoes or hazardous materials releases, can necessitate the need to seek shelter. Navigate this page and watch the video below for more information.
How to prepare
- Know the difference between a flash flood watch, a flash flood warning, a flood watch and a flood warning.
- Monitor local weather resources to know when flooding may occur.
What to do during and after flooding
- Do not walk, swim or drive through flood waters. Turn Around, Don’t Drown!
- Just six inches of moving water can knock you down, and one foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away.
- Stay off of bridges over fast-moving water.
- Determine how best to protect yourself based on the type of flooding.
- Evacuate if told to do so.
- Move to higher ground or a higher floor. If you cannot move higher, stay where you are.
For more information, visit https://www.ready.gov/floods.
How to prepare
- Identify in advance a safe location to seek shelter. Safe locations include a parked car or the interior of buildings away from windows.
- Know the difference between a watch and a warning.
- Monitor the weather in your location.
- Make sure electronic items are plugged into a surge protector.
What to do during a storm
- Seek shelter immediately. Do not wait for the rain to intensify. If you hear thunder or see lightning, it is no longer safe to be outdoors.
- Avoid driving through standing water. Most cars and light trucks will float in as little as a foot of water.
- Avoid using corded electronics, such as a plugged-in phone.
- Unplug electronic devices that aren’t connected to a surge protector.
- Avoid taking a shower.
- If you’re outdoors during a storm and cannot get to a safe indoor location:
- Avoid high ground, open spaces and water.
- Do not seek shelter under trees.
- Avoid being near metal objects, including metal fencing, umbrellas and machinery.
- Avoid sheltering in open areas such as bus shelters and pavilions. They shield the rain, but do not keep you safe from lightning.
- Crouch down and put your feet together. You may also need to cover your ears to protect them from hearing loss from thunder.
- Do not stand in a crowd.
- Persons injured by a lightning strike do not carry an electrical charge and can be touched safely. Immediate first aid should be administered while calling campus police at 704-687-2200 or by activating a blue light phone.
After the storm
- All outdoor activities should be suspended until the storm has completely passed and there is no evidence of lightning.
- Do not touch downed tree limbs or wires, as they may still be live.
- If you notice an on-campus power outage from the storm, call Facilities Management at 704-687-1311.
How to prepare
- Know the difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning.
- Monitor the local weather to stay abreast of potential outbreaks.
- Familiarize yourself with the warning signs that can indicate a tornado, such as:
- Dark sky
- Large hail
- Large, dark, low-lying clouds that could be rotating
- Loud roar
- Identify in advance a place to seek shelter.
What to do during a tornado
- Seek shelter indoors in the lowest interior room without windows.
- If possible, seek further shelter under a desk or sturdy table.
After the tornado
- Take caution in exiting your shelter area. Structures may be compromised, debris may be present outside. Watch out for broken glass and other hazards.
- Report any injuries to campus police at 704-687-2200 or by using a blue light phone.
- Stay out of any building if you smell gas. If you think you smell gas, call campus police immediately at 704-687-2200.
- Do not touch downed tree limbs or wires, as they may still be live.
- If you notice an on-campus power outage or structural damage from the storm, call Facilities Management at 704-687-1311.