Tornado/Severe Thunderstorm

Severe Weather Communications

When the National Weather Service issues a tornado warning, Ball State will post pertinent information on www.bsu.edu and send a text message to subscribers of the university’s emergency text messaging system. Continue to monitor the weather via radio or television until the tornado warning has been lifted for your area. The university sends text alerts for tornado warnings only. To receive notifications about other types of weather watches, warnings, and advisories, you may want to explore free alert services such as those offered by www.weatherchannel.com and www.emergencyemail.org. You may also check the current weather in Muncie.

Tornado Watches and Warnings

A tornado watch means that weather conditions are favorable for the formation of a tornado. A tornado warning is issued when a tornado has actually been sighted in the surrounding area. Emergency warning sirens are activated when there is a tornado warning. Check the current weather in Muncie.

Emergency Warning Sirens

• The emergency warning siren emits a continuous three-minute sound warning.
• The siren is used to alert the public of an impending danger such as tornado, severe thunderstorm with high winds or large hail, hazardous material spill, or a safety threat. If you hear the siren, you should take cover inside away from glass doors and windows, and tune into your local radio or television stations for further instructions. If you cannot get to a radio or television, initiate tornado protection procedures as this is the most likely reason for the siren to sound.
• The siren does not sound for the entire duration of a tornado warning. Do not assume that the danger has passed when the siren stops sounding.
• An all clear, a 30-second blast from the emergency warning sirens, will sound when the danger has passed. In the absence of additional notices or new alerts from third-party weather services, the tornado warning ends at the end time indicated in the initial alert.
• The emergency warning siren is tested each Friday at 11 a.m. These tests last for 30 seconds. If the emergency warning siren sounds on a Friday morning for longer than 30 seconds, you should initiate tornado protection procedures.

If a tornado warning has been issued and you are inside:

1. Stay inside.
2. Stay away from outside walls, windows, mirrors, glass, overhead fixtures, and unsecured objects such as filing cabinets or bookcases.
3. If possible, move to a below-ground-level floor, interior corridor, or room or office without windows and crouch low with your hands covering the back of your head and neck.
4. Do not use elevators.
5. If requested, assist persons with disabilities to the safest area on the same floor.
6. Do not leave the shelter area until after the storm is over.
7. Continue to monitor the weather using the Internet on a mobile device or via radio or television until the tornado warning has been lifted for your area. Note that both the start and end time of tornado warnings are indicated at online sources and mobile alert services. Follow the directions of building personnel in managed buildings such as residence halls, the Student Recreation and Wellness Center, and the L.A. Pittenger Student Center. These buildings are equipped with weather radios and personnel trained to manage the building in the event of severe weather.
8. All clear: When the danger has passed, the emergency warning sirens will emit a continuous 30-second blast, indicating the all clear. In the absence of additional notices or new alerts from third party weather services, the tornado warning ends at the end time indicated in the initial alert.

If a tornado warning has been issued and you are outside:

1. If you are in your car, get out of it. Never try to outrun a tornado.
2. Look for a nearby safe structure in which to take shelter.
3. If there is no shelter, lie down flat in a low area such as a ditch away from trees with your hands covering the back of your head and neck.