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.
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- Basements, which are often recommended for shelter in private residences, may not be practical for high rise buildings or some campus facilities—move to the most interior portion of the building.
- Stay away from windows, doors and exterior walls.
- Close all doors leading to exterior rooms.
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- 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.
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Follow instructions from all AlertVU messages.
If someone is injured or there is damage caused by the weather, notify the Vanderbilt University Police Department:
- Notify VUPD 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 call the Vanderbilt University Police Department in an emergency:
- Dial 911 from any campus phone.
- Dial (615) 421-1911 from any other phone.
See also the Severe Weather/Lightning VU Emergency Guide, the Vanderbilt Severe Weather Warning System, Severe Weather References and Severe Weather Safety Links.