Student Handbook 2012-13

Tornado Safety

The East Texas area is susceptible to tornadoes. If a tornado is sighted, a tornado warning will be indicated by the City of LongviewÕs Early Weather Warning Siren System (EWWS) which will sound a 3-5 minute steady alarm. If you have registered for the LeTourneau University Electronic Campus Communication System (ECCS), you will receive a text message and email concerning warnings published by the National Weather Service. Regular updates will be sent out via text and email as the circumstances warrant.

If you hear this alarm, or if you are notified by University Police of an impending tornado threat:

1. Locate and move quickly to the area in your building designated as a waiting area for severe weather. (You may not remain in any building with metal siding during a Tornado Warning.) These areas are noted on the exit routes posted in hallways and lounge areas. If unclear about the location of the waiting areas, then: (a) Move to the lowest level of your building, and (b) Find a central location away from windows and areas with wide spans, avoiding southwest exposures (in a residence hall, hallways on the first floor are best).
2. Cover yourself with a mattress or other protection; in an apartment, the bathtub is a safe location, using the mattress as a shield against possible flying debris.
3. If outside, get away from cars or loose objects and find a ditch, culvert, or other low area; be watchful of rising water. Do NOT watch the storm from overhangs or underneath an open bridge.
4. If storm damage is heard or observed, stay indoors for an additional time until the storm has passed. Call (903) 233-4444 to report damage or injury. Larger tornadoes may have a storm “eye” just as a hurricane does, and winds may recur after as long a minute or two.

NOTE: The City of Longview’s Early Weather Warning Siren System is tested the first Wednesday of each month at noon, unless severe storm conditions exist.

During electrical storms, athletic fields will close. If caught on a field or out in the open on campus during a storm, move quickly to a reinforced structure. Avoid taking shelter under trees. Thunderstorms can also produce large hail, so it is imperative to find a structure in which to wait out the storm. If someone has been struck by lightning, check to see if the individual is breathing. If the person is not breathing, begin CPR and notify persons as outlined in medical emergencies. A person struck by lightning holds no electrical charge and can be handled safely.