Weather Emergencies

Watch: Conditions are favorable for the development of severe weather in the area. Everyone should closely monitor the campus weather radio, especially as conditions deteriorate.

Warning: Life-threating weather has been observed or detected by radar, and is a substantial threat to the area.

Thunderstorms

• Frequently have high winds, cloud-to-ground lightning, heavy rain, and can produce tornados, large hail and flooding.
• Stay indoors away from windows to reduce injury from flying glass.
• Minimize use of electric appliances.
• Stay off landline telephones and cell phones with power cords attached.

Tornados

• Outdoor warning sirens are an alert that a significant severe weather event is imminently likely. They are not intended to be heard indoors.
• Seek shelter immediately in designated shelter locations or go to the lowest floor of the building, away from windows and doors. This reduces your chance of being hit with flying objects.
• Do not go outdoors to see the storm. Trained storm spotters will be monitoring the situation.
• If you are in a vehicle, leave it and seek shelter in a sturdy building if practical; otherwise, drive at right angles to the tornado. If the tornado is moving east, drive south.
• Once the storm has cleared, call 911 if there are serious injuries or damage; otherwise, call 815-753-1212.

Floods

• Secure vital equipment, records and chemicals. Shut off all electrical equipment. Secure all laboratory experiments.
• Move to higher, safer ground.
• Do not return to your building unless you have been instructed to do so by the NIU Police Department or emergency personnel.
• During a flood, do not attempt to wade or travel through the water. Even small amounts of water can be very dangerous.