Washington University will test its emergency siren systems at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, March 17, rather than Tuesday as originally planned, as part of a Missouri statewide tornado drill. The test was changed due to the potential for severe weather.
The university’s warning sirens are located on Brookings Hall, Seigle Hall and Nemerov House. St. Louis City and County sirens will be activated as well.
The tests are being held in conjunction with Missouri Severe Weather Awareness Week March 14-18.
Information about the tests will also be on the university’s emergency website.
University community members are strongly encouraged to update their contact information via HRMS and WebSTAC/SIS. The university uses the information in HRMS and WebSTAC/SIS to contact individuals when necessary in an emergency.
During tornado warnings that affect the university, university community members are notified by email, pop-ups on desktop computers that have the software installed and in-building voice systems that are tied to WUSTLAlerts.
During Missouri Severe Weather Awareness Week, students, faculty and staff are encouraged to visit emergency.wustl.edu and click on “severe weather” under the Be Prepared tab to learn more about preparing for severe weather and safe ways to react during and after a weather emergency.
During a tornado warning, the Washington University community should follow these instructions:
- Evacuate to the basement, an inside hallway or an interior bathroom on the lowest level possible with a flashlight and radio;
- Avoid places with wide-span roofs;
- Once evacuated, get under heavy furniture (if available); and
- Use arms to protect your head and neck.
“Having knowledge of what to do or where to go in case of severe weather when at home or at the university is crucial for the safety of the Washington University community in a weather emergency,” said Mark Bagby, director of emergency management.
Alerts limited to five-mile radius
Bagby noted a change to the university’s tornado warning policy because of technological advancements.
Instead of sharing every National Weather Service tornado warning issued for St. Louis County/City through WUSTLAlerts, the university can now limit the alerts to tornado warnings that are within five miles of Brookings Hall. Bagby said this will greatly reduce the number of warnings that community members receive.
For more information about the siren test, email Bagby at bagbym@wustl.edu.
For more tips on being prepared for severe weather, visit the Missouri StormAware website.