Tornado Safety at the University of Oklahoma

Here is the text on university of Oklahoma’s emergency preparedness web page giving instructions for safety in severe weather and tornados. It may help you create or update your own instructions.

“The City of Norman maintains a citywide civil defense warning siren that will be sounded in the event of a tornado warning. If severe weather is imminent and you are outdoors, move indoors as quickly as possible.

1. Consider obtaining an emergency kit and weather radio for your department.

2. Shut off any equipment that might be affected by a temporary loss of electricity.

3. Close hallway doors as you leave to shield the corridors from flying debris.

4. Move to any of the best available refuge areas in the building. Become familiar with the location of the best available refuge area in your building before a storm occurs.

5. When you are off campus or in buildings without designated shelters, move to a small room on lower levels, an interior hallway or basement. GET IN, GET DOWN AND COVER UP!

6. Avoid upper floors, large glassed areas, auditoriums and windows.

7. Stay out of parking garages, auditoriums and exterior walkways. Stay away from electrical appliances.

8. Use the telephone for emergency calls ONLY.

9. STAY CALM AND ALERT.

10. Call 911 to report any damage.

11. There WILL NOT be an all clear signal from the siren system in Norman.”

To see the University of Oklahoma text online, and for additional emergency preparation plans, visit http://goo.gl/UDH5Ni).

This article originally appeared in the issue of .

Featured

  • LAN, Inc. Opens Office in College Station, Texas

    Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam, Inc. (LAN) recently announced the opening of a new office in College Station, Texas, to support its regional client base, according to a news release. The organization provides engineering, design, and program management services for water, wastewater, transportation, stormwater, and education clients in the Brazos Valley.

  • Spaces4Learning Trends & Predictions for Educational Facilities in 2026: Part I

    We asked, you answered, and the results are in! Last year, we put out a call for submissions to collect our readership’s opinion on trends and predictions for K–12 and higher education facilities in 2026.

  • Zurn Elkay Releases 2025 Sustainability Report

    Zurn Elkay Water Solutions recently announced the release of its annual sustainability report, according to a news release. The 2025 report discusses the organization’s efforts to maintain good environmental stewardship and the solutions provided in helping customers meet sustainability goals.

  • Wold Architects & Engineers Acquires VPS Architecture

    Full-service planning, architecture, and engineering firm Wold Architects & Engineers recently announced that it has acquired VPS Architecture, according to a news release. The move will help strengthen Wold’s education and public-sector design expertise, industries in which both companies have strong pre-existing ties and relationships.