Tornado Preparedness Plan

Weather alerts, including watches and warnings, are issued by the National Weather Service (NWS), a subsidiary of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).  Weather alerts for Frederick County, MD, normally originate with the NWS in Sterling, VA.  Because of the University’s proximity to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania University officials should also monitor weather alerts for south central Pennsylvania, which originate in State College, PA.

This plan is specifically designed to address response to tornado watches and warnings issued for areas of Mount St. Mary’s University’s Emmitsburg and Frederick campuses - hereafter referred to as “the University.”

National Weather Service (NWS) Definitions:                

Tornado watch – conditions are favorable for the development of tornadoes in and close to the watch area.                 

Tornado warning – a tornado is indicated by weather radar or has been sighted by spotters; therefore, people in the affected area should seek safe shelter immediately. 

Tornado Watch Procedures:

1. When the NWS issues a tornado watch is issued the Department of Public Safety shall immediately begin monitoring weather conditions including television and on-line resources to remain abreast of weather conditions in the area of the University’s main and/or Frederick campuses.
2. Public Safety dispatch center will telephone the Department on-call officer and/or the Public Safety Director and notify them of the issuance of the tornado watch, the specific area of the tornado watch, and the time period the tornado watch is to be in effect.

Tornado Warning Procedures:

In the event of the issuance of a tornado warning in the area of the University’s Main and/or Frederick campuses the following

1. The University’s Public Safety dispatch center shall notify the Department on-call officer and/or the Public Safety Director of the issuance of the tornado warning, the specific area of the tornado warning, and the time period the tornado warning is to be in effect.
2. Activation of the MountAlert notification system, including telephone, email, and text messaging.  The MountAlert message will include notice that a tornado warning has is in effect and instructions necessary to remain safe.  Those general instructions are included below.
3. The Frederick County Emergency Communications Center (ECC) has the authority and ability to activate emergency alert speakers & sirens across Frederick County, including the siren & speaker on the Mount St. Mary’s University campus, for events deemed to be threats to life or property including tornado warnings. 
4. If the ECC has not activated the emergency alert speaker & siren for a tornado warning covering the general area of the University’s main campus in Emmitsburg, MD, the University’s Public Safety Dispatch center may activate the University’s local siren & speaker system located atop the Knott Academic Center.
5. The University may consider suspending on-campus functions including classes while a tornado warning is in effect for the area of the University’s main and/or Frederick campuses affected by the tornado warning.   
6. Available Residence Life staff will be notified and will instruct available RA staff to advise floor members of the tornado warning by door-to-door contact along with instructions on how students can stay safe during the warning.      
7. The ARCC staff will notify people in the field house, swimming pool and other areas of the building on steps that can be taken to remain safe during a tornado warning.
8. The athletic department will alert any teams out on the athletic fields.

 General Instructions in the event of a Tornado Warning:

1.    Flying debris and broken glass are the main cause of most serious injuries and deaths during a tornado.  If a tornado warning is issued:

• If people are in a building they should seek protective shelter away from windows, preferably on the lowest floor of the building. People should not go outside during a tornado warning.
• If people find themselves outside during a tornado warning they should move of the nearest building and move to an interior room or lowest hallway.  People should stay clear of all areas containing glass panes or windows.
• People who are outside and unable to find shelter should get into a ditch or other low area and cover their head with your hands.  
• If people are in a vehicle during a tornado they should get out of the vehicle and seek shelter in a building, low laying ditch or other low area.

Specific instructions in the event of a Tornado Warning:
During a tornado warning people in Bicentennial Hall, Bradley Annex, Pangborn Hall, the Seminary, Sheridan Hall, or the Terrace should move into an interior hallway. If time permits people on upper floors should move to a hallway on a lower floor.

1. People in the Apartments Towers should move to an interior room away from windows. If there is time, people in upper apartments should move to an apartment on a lower floor.
2. People in classroom buildings should move to an interior hallway on the lowest floor possible and away from the windows.
3. People in administration and general use buildings should move to interior rooms and hallways on the lowest floor possible and away from windows.
4. People at the Frederick Campus should move to interior rooms and hallways and away from windows.