Dust Storm (Haboob)
Flood/Severe Rain
Tornado
Winter Storm/Ice

Dust Storm (Haboob)

Definition - Straight line winds in a thunderstorm can lift huge clouds of dust and reduce visibilities to near zero in seconds, which can quickly result in deadly, multi-vehicle accidents on roadways. An intense dust storm is called a haboob.  

Watches and warnings  

Watch the sky and stay tuned to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration weather radio, commercial radio, television, or internet for information.

  • A dust storm watch tells you when and where dust storms are likely to occur.
  • A dust storm warning is issued when visibility is one-half mile or less due to blowing dust or sand, and wind speeds are 30 miles per hour or more.

Immediate actions 

  • Dust storms usually last a few minutes or up to an hour at most. Stay where you are until the dust storm passes.
  • If you are on campus or at home,
  • Close all doors and windows.
  • Turn off the air conditioner or HVAC system.
  • Avoid driving into or through a dust storm.
  • If you encounter a dust storm while driving,
  • Check traffic around your vehicle and begin slowing down.
    • Do not wait until poor visibility makes it difficult to pull off the roadway – do it as soon as possible. Completely exit the highway, if you can.
    • Do not stop in a travel lane or in the emergency lane. Look for a safe place to completely pull off the paved portion of the roadway.
    • Turn off your headlights and taillights, put your vehicle in “park,” and take your foot off the brake so your brake lights are not illuminated. Other motorists tend to follow taillights in an attempt to get through the dust storm and may strike your vehicle from behind.
    • Stay in the vehicle with your seatbelt buckled and wait for the storm to pass.
    • Keep a dust brush in your car. After the dust storm passes, use the dust brush to clean your engine cover, hood, and vents.
    • Keep an emergency pack in your car (e.g., bottled water, flashlight, blanket) in case your car won’t start due to the amount of dust and debris.

Prior to an emergency

  • ATSU is committed to helping protect students, faculty, staff, and guests from all types of hazardous weather, including but not limited to, tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, lightning, extreme heat, and winter weather. ATSU encourages all students, faculty, staff, and guests, as part of their personal responsibility, to be aware of changing weather and prepared to take appropriate safety precautions, as needed, for their specific location.
  • The National Weather Service provides alert and warning information through weather.gov and maintains a listing of third-party sources that can deliver email and SMS weather alerts to individual subscribers’ smartphone and electronic devices. Visit weather.gov for additional information.

Since 2012, most cell phones are equipped with Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA), which are free, text-like notifications informing subscribers of a dangerous situation – manmade or natural disasters – where you happen to be. In 90-characters or less, WEA states who is sending the alert, what is happening, whom is affected, and what action to take.

THE ABOVE PROCEDURE IS A GUIDELINE. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EACH PERSON TO BE AWARE OF SURROUNDINGS AND PLAN FOR EMERGENCY SITUATIONS.

Flood/Severe Rain

Definition - A flood is a large amount of water overflowing its normal confines, especially over what is normally dry land. Floods may be caused by a variety of factors, including a sudden accumulation of rain, rising rivers, tidal surges, ice jams, and dam failures. Flash floods are sudden, destructive local floods of short duration resulting from heavy rains. 

Watches and warnings 

  • A flood watch indicates flooding is possible. Monitor radio and television for more information.
  • A flood warning indicates an imminent threat. Flooding is occurring or will occur soon. If advised to evacuate, do so immediately and/or as directed.
  • A flash flood watch indicates flash flooding is possible. Be prepared to move to higher ground. Monitor radio and television for more information.
  • A flash flood warning indicates an imminent threat. A flash flood is occurring or will occur soon. Seek higher ground immediately.

Walking and driving during flood conditions

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report over half of all flood-related drownings occur when a vehicle is driven into hazardous flood waters. The next highest percentage of flood-related deaths is due to walking into or near flood waters. People underestimate the force and power of water. A mere six inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult. Six inches of water is enough to stall some cars. A foot of moving water can float a vehicle, and two feet of moving water is enough to sweep away most vehicles. It is never safe to drive or walk into flood waters. Do not try to cross flooded roadways if you do not know the depth of the water. 

Other precautions

  • Do not touch electrical equipment if the ground is wet.
  • Stay well clear of downed or damaged power lines.
  • When removing trees and debris, use only power equipment built for outdoor and wet conditions.
  • Gasoline and diesel-powered generators, pumps, and pressure washers release carbon monoxide, a deadly colorless, odorless gas. These devices must be operated out of doors and never inside confined spaces.

Prior to an emergency

  • ATSU is committed to helping protect students, faculty, staff, and guests from all types of hazardous weather, including but not limited to, tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, lightning, extreme heat, and winter weather. ATSU encourages all students, faculty, staff, and guests, as part of their personal responsibility, to be aware of changing weather and prepared to take appropriate safety precautions, as needed, for their specific location.
  • The National Weather Service provides alert and warning information through weather.gov and maintains a listing of third-party sources that can deliver email and SMS weather alerts to individual subscribers’ smartphone and electronic devices. Visit weather.gov for additional information.
  • Since 2012, most cell phones are equipped with Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA), which are free, text-like notifications informing subscribers of a dangerous situation – manmade or natural disasters – where you happen to be. In 90-characters or less, WEA states who is sending the alert, what is happening, whom is affected, and what action to take.

THE ABOVE PROCEDURE IS A GUIDELINE. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EACH PERSON TO BE AWARE OF SURROUNDINGS AND PLAN FOR EMERGENCY SITUATIONS.

Original source (which may have been modified/adopted for ATSU): United Stated Department of Labor – Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA); NWS. 

Tornado

Definition - Tornadoes are violent acts of nature capable of completely destroying well-made structures, uprooting trees, and hurling objects through the air like deadly missiles. A tornado is a violently rotating column of air extending from the base of a thunderstorm down to the ground. Tornado intensities are classified on the Fujita Scale with ratings between F0 (weakest) to F5 (strongest). Although severe tornadoes are more common in states across the Plains, tornadoes have been reported in every state.

Tornado warning vs. tornado watch

  • Tornado warning – A tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. There is imminent danger to life and property. If time and circumstances allow, an emergency notification will be announced using overhead paging, where available, and text messaging issued for those whom have registered for text service. Persons are advised to take immediate shelter.
  • Tornado watch – Conditions are favorable for a tornado to occur in and near the watch area. Persons should review and discuss emergency plans and be ready to act quickly in the event of a warning.

Prior to an emergency

  • Be aware of potential safer areas for you.
  • Supervisors and instructors are encouraged to inform employees, students, and visitors of potential safer areas.
  • ATSU is committed to helping protect students, faculty, staff, and guests from all types of hazardous weather, including but not limited to, tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, lightning, extreme heat, and winter weather. ATSU encourages all students, faculty, staff, and guests, as part of their personal responsibility, to be aware of changing weather and prepared to take appropriate safety precautions, as needed, for their specific location.
  • The National Weather Service provides alert and warning information through weather.gov and maintains a listing of third-party sources that can deliver email and SMS weather alerts to individual subscribers’ smartphone and electronic devices. Visit weather.gov for additional information.
  • Since 2012, most cell phones are equipped with Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA), which are free, text-like notifications informing subscribers of a dangerous situation – manmade or natural disasters – where you happen to be. In 90-characters or less, WEA states who is sending the alert, what is happening, whom is affected, and what action to take.

Upon receipt of an emergency notification

  • Supervisors and instructors should assist employees, students, and visitors in finding a potential safer place, if possible.
  • Assist others in finding a safer place (if possible), particularly any persons with access and function needs, if it can be done safely. If you cannot assist, try to make the person(s) as safe and accessible to help as possible. Someone should call/notify 911, ATSU Campus Safety, fire personnel, and/or the first person in authority encountered, as to the need for assistance. Be specific on location and need. Depending on the event, stairwells are often reinforced and will be along a path traveled by emergency responders and can possibly serve as a safer place.
  • Move to the lowest level of a building, an inner room, or hall with no exterior windows.
  • All persons located outdoors should seek shelter indoors immediately.
  • Avoid areas where flying debris may occur.
  • If a tornado is imminent, one recommendation is to crouch as low as possible to the floor facing down and cover your head with your hands. Staying low will reduce potential injuries from flying debris.
  • If available, some form of covering should be used to protect heads, arms, and legs. Otherwise, cover head with arms.
  • Remain in place until “all clear” is issued by an appropriate authority (e.g., ATSU via overhead paging, text messaging, and/or email; emergency personnel; or trusted media source).

THE ABOVE PROCEDURE IS A GUIDELINE. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EACH PERSON TO BE AWARE OF SURROUNDINGS AND PLAN FOR EMERGENCY SITUATIONS.

Winter Storm (snow/ice)

Definition - Winter storms can range from moderate to heavy snow to blizzard conditions. Winter storms may be accompanied by dangerously low temperatures, strong winds, ice, sleet, and freezing rain. Road conditions may impede or prohibit vehicle movement. Winter storms can result in closed highways, blocked roads, and downed power lines. Exposure may result in frostbite or hypothermia. 

Winter storm communications

The University will monitor weather conditions. If warranted, classes may be cancelled, and the campus closed. Information regarding cancellation of classes or closing of the campus will be shared by text messaging and/or email. No notification of a change in schedule means the University will operate as usual. Decisions about whether or not to maintain the University’s normal schedule in the event of a winter storm will be made by the deans for the affected campus, in conjunction with the director of facilities. President’s Office will distribute email to Kirksville, Missouri, campus students and employees. Kirksville, Missouri, ATSU Security will distribute Rave text alert to Kirksville, Missouri, campus students and employees, Gutensohn Clinic tenants, Northeast Regional Medical Center Northeast Missouri Health Council, George Rea Cancer Treatment Center, Center Bright’s Beginnings, and Christian Food Bank. The President’s Office is responsible to advise local media of changes to the University’s schedule due to a winter storm. 

Prior to an emergency

  • ATSU is committed to helping protect students, faculty, staff, and guests from all types of hazardous weather, including but not limited to, tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, lightning, extreme heat, and winter weather. ATSU encourages all students, faculty, staff, and guests, as part of their personal responsibility, to be aware of changing weather and prepared to take appropriate safety precautions, as needed, for their specific location.
  • The National Weather Service provides alert and warning information through weather.gov and maintains a listing of third party sources that can deliver email and SMS weather alerts to individual subscribers’ smartphone and electronic devices. Visit weather.gov for additional information.
  • Since 2012, most cell phones are equipped with Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA), which are free, text-like notifications informing subscribers of a dangerous situation – manmade or natural disasters – where you happen to be. In 90-characters or less, WEA states who is sending the alert, what is happening, whom is affected, and what action to take.

THE ABOVE PROCEDURE IS A GUIDELINE. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EACH PERSON TO BE AWARE OF SURROUNDINGS AND PLAN FOR EMERGENCY SITUATIONS.