Tornado
If you are caught outdoors and hear the Vanderbilt sirens or receive an AlertVU notice that a tornado may be approaching campus:
- Immediately seek shelter in the closest substantial building.
- Never try to outrun a tornado. If you cannot seek shelter in a building, lie in a ditch or low-lying area and cover your head and neck.
Once you are indoors:
- Alert building occupants of the impending weather.
- Move quickly to a safe area indoors such as an interior hallway
or an interior room away from windows.
- Basements, which are often recommended for shelter in private residences, may not be practical for high rise buildings or some campus facilities.
- Stay away from windows, doors and exterior walls.
- Close all doors leading to exterior rooms.
- Once you are indoors, stay indoors until the threat has passed. To determine when the threat has passed, monitor a weather radio, commercial radio/television station, Internet or other weather service. Even when a specific storm cell has passed beyond the area, conditions may still be right for high winds, lightning, and other hazardous weather conditions.
If you are in a classroom or meeting area:
- The instructor or staff member should direct occupants to the nearest interior hallways and interior rooms away from windows.
- Monitor your weather radio, television, or other weather service provider for additional information.
If someone is injured or there is damage caused by the weather, notify the Vanderbilt Police Department:
- Notify VPD of the location and nature of injury or damage.
- Exit a building that smells of natural gas or chemical fumes.
- Do not tour damaged areas.
- Do not go into damaged buildings.
- If you must be outdoors, watch for downed power lines and for possible falling debris.
- Use the telephone only to report emergencies.
- Monitor radio and television for reports and guidance.
- Assist special needs persons.
To contact the Vanderbilt Police Department in an emergency:
- Call 911 from any campus phone.
- Call (615) 322-2222 from any other phone.
See also the Severe Weather/Lightning VU Emergency Guide, the Vanderbilt Severe Weather Warning System, Tornado Safety, Tornado Warnings - What You Should Do, and the Severe Weather References.
Natural Disasters
Hazardous Materials Spill
Security (Access to these Security guides requires login with VUNet ID & e-password.)
Medical Center students, staff and faculty should also refer to the VUMC Emergency Response Quick Reference Guide and the VUMC Safety & Emergency Operations Manual.