Severe Weather Awareness Week Safety Tips

UMW’s recent test of its Emergency Notification System was part of Severe Weather Awareness Week, which is designed to refresh, remind and educate everyone about the seasonal threats from severe weather and how to plan and prepare for them. The Virginia Department of Emergency Management partners with the National Weather Service to promote Severe Weather Awareness Week. Each day of the week covers a different topic, including preparedness tips and ways to stay safe during severe weather. More information is available from the National Weather Service online.

Tornado Safety tips:

1. Watch vs. Warning
   1. Know the difference between a Watch and a Warning and know what to do
   2. Watch = hazardous conditions are favorable.  Say informed and be prepared.
   3. Warning = hazardous conditions are imminent.  Take action now!  Seek shelter.
2. Safe Shelter Locations
   1. Pre-identify safe sheltering locations at home, school, and work
   2. Lower level interior rooms with no windows are best; avoid large rooms such as auditoriums
   3. If outside, find the nearest sturdy building; if you can’t make it to a building, find a low lying spot to lay flat on the ground and cover your head
3. Stay Informed
   1. Don’t ignore severe weather alerts!
   2. Know your surroundings, pre-plan safety actions and stay aware
   3. Have weather safety conversations with your friends, family  and colleagues

For more information about University of Mary Washington’s emergency management programs, please visit the Emergency Management and Safety webpage at https://students.umw.edu/safety/emergency-management/ or contact Emergency Management at 540-654-2108.