A tornado is a violently rotating column of air touching the ground, usually at the base of a thunderstorm. Tornadoes can cause fatalities and devastate a neighborhood in seconds. Winds of a tornado may reach 300 miles per hour.
Tornadoes in Kentucky are more common in the spring months, but it is important to remember they can occur at any time of the year and any time of the day or night.
Be prepared by:
Before a tornado watch/warning occurs
During a tornado watch
During a tornado warning
Tornado shelter locations
Resources
Tornado Safety Video
Before a tornado watch/warning occurs
- Download a reputable weather app to your cell phone. Look for an app that will send emergency alerts in the case of a tornado watch or tornado warning.
- Stay informed about weather conditions by tuning in to your local radio or cable weather station or weather phone app.
- Sign Up for Notifications:
- LENsAlert is the Louisville Metro emergency notification system. Sign up here.
- FEMA- The Federal Emergency Management System. Download from Google Play or Download from Apple App Store
- Local news apps: WDRB, WHAS, WAVE, WLKY
- Know how your community sends warnings.
- Southern Seminary has an emergency outdoor siren on the roof of the Honeycutt building that will sound in the event of a tornado warning.
- RAVE is the Southern Seminary emergency notification system. Make sure you are signed up.
- Know the difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning
- Tornado watch: A tornado or severe thunderstorm watch means conditions are right for a tornado or severe thunderstorm to develop. Continue normal activities but also continue to monitor the situation.
- Tornado warning: A tornado or severe thunderstorm warning means that a tornado or severe thunderstorm has been spotted or picked up on radar.
- Develop an emergency plan.
- Be familiar with your tornado shelter locations on campus. See building locations here.
During a tornado watch
- Review your emergency plan, including where you will take shelter.
- Be prepared to quickly move to your shelter location.
- Monitor your NOAA Weather Radio, smartphone apps, and local news for updates.
- Stay aware of changing weather conditions. Remember, even if a tornado does not form, severe thunderstorms can pose a safety risk too.
- Make sure your emergency supplies such as flashlights, water, and batteries are accessible.
- Stay away from windows and keep them closed.
During a tornado warning
- Go immediately to a pre-designated shelter area.
- If that area is unknown or inaccessible seek shelter in a safe room, basement, storm cellar, or the lowest building level. If there is no basement, go to the center of an interior room on the lowest level (closet, interior hallway) away from corners, windows, doors, and outside walls.
- Tornadoes could be obscured by rainfall or come at nighttime. Do not wait until you see or hear the tornado, it may be too late.
- Put as many walls as possible between you and the outside.
- Get under a sturdy table and use your arms to protect your head and neck.
- Protect yourself from flying debris with pillows, heavy coats, blankets or quilts. Use bicycle or motorcycle helmets to protect your head.
- Do not open windows.
- If in a vehicle:
- Get out immediately and go to the lowest floor of a sturdy, nearby building or a storm shelter.
- Never try to outrun a tornado in urban or congested areas in a car or truck. Instead, leave the vehicle immediately for safe shelter.
- If you are unable to make it to the closest shelter, either get down in your car and cover your head or abandon your car and seek shelter in a low-lying area such as a ditch or ravine.
- If outside with no shelter:
- Lie flat in a nearby ditch or depression and cover your head. Be aware of the potential for flooding.
- Do not get under an overpass or bridge. You are safer in a low, flat location.
- Watch out for flying debris. Flying debris from tornadoes causes most fatalities and injuries.
Tornado Shelter Locations
Students and employees click the button below to view the Tornado Shelter Maps