Severe Weather Exercises
Frequently Asked Questions
Missouri State University
Department Safety and
Transportation
1. Why does MSU conduct a severe storm
exercise? Do we really need to participate?
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The threat of an actual severe storm on campus
is VERY REAL. The likelihood of physical
injuries or casualties ARE VERY REAL.
Exercises are done to help those on campus to
prepare for this dangerous threat.
Yes. You should participate by learning where
the shelter areas are in the buildings in which
you will be. We suggest you do weather related
“What if” scenarios. Ask yourself, “What
WOULD I do if a tornado hit campus today?”
2. When are the storm exercises
scheduled?
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The storm sirens are tested on the 2nd
Wednesday of each month at 10:00 a.m. If
inclement weather prevents the test, it is
postponed to the following week.
The State Emergency Management Agency in
Jefferson City conducts an annual statewide
severe weather exercise each March. The exact
date is determined in January of each year.
3. Why are the sirens tested monthly?
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This is done to make sure the system is
fully operational. If problems are
identified, they are repaired as soon as
possible.
4. Why does MSU have its own sirens
when the city has them?
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The campus outdoor sirens handles the core of
the campus while the city sirens are on the
exterior boundaries of campus. One system
naturally backs up the other when the other
would fail to activate. On occasion, the campus
siren system has actually and successfully
provided back up the city’s sirens that have
failed in the boundary areas.
5. When the sirens stop, does that
mean the warning is over?
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No. Absolutely NOT! The outdoor sirens
run a three minute cycle then shuts down
to cool before re-activated again.
6. During the exercise and the siren stops,
does that mean the exercise is over?
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No. The sirens run a three minute cycle.
Continue with your evacuation to your
place of safety. Once everyone is
accounted for, you may be released by
the building coordinator to return to your
class.
7. The dining hall is full of people
during the exercise time.
What do we do?
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If a tornado hit at that moment, just
WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
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This is the very reason we participate in
these exercises, to help you prepare for
such emergency.
8. Is it possible to extend the
exercise?
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Continue with your evacuation to your
place of safety. Once everyone is
accounted for, you may be released by
the building coordinator to return to your
class or activity.
9. Why isn’t there an “all clear”?
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Normally, an “all clear” isn’t given due to the possibility
of a second strike within a “watch area”. Persons that
survived an initial tornado hit have been killed by an
unsuspecting second tornado hit.
Tornados are unpredictable in their travel paths. They
can hit anywhere, at anytime. The NWS will sometimes
broadcast the length of the warning. Many times, the
warning length is extended due to remaining severe
weather conditions in the watch area.
As for the exercise, it continues until the building
coordinator and their designees complete their tasks.
This may take a couple of minutes or maybe fifteen
minutes. When this is done, you may return to your
class or other activities.
10. Why can’t we hear the outdoor
sirens inside the buildings?
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The outdoor sirens ARE NOT designed to be heard inside
the buildings. They’re intended to alert those outside to
seek shelter immediately out of harms way.
If the siren is sounding, there’s a very good chance,
you’re going to know it in short time. How? Persons
entering the building for shelter should be key reason for
you to see what’s going on. Every effort has been made
to place a Weather Alert Radio in each building where it
can be monitored by the building coordinators and their
staff. Building coordinators and their designees will be
alerting occupants to seek shelter. You should make
certain you are a part of a notification list.
11. Why don’t we have sirens
INSIDE the buildings?
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Having active sirens in a building could have serious
implications. Continuous or repetitive sounds such as a
siren and or flashing lights could very likely trigger
serious health problems (i.e. seizures, heart or anxiety
attacks, etc.) or escalate potentially dangerous psychotic
emotions in susceptible occupants which would increase
the safety risk of others. Those persons having been
alerted to the danger and moved to a place of safety,
the inside siren would serve no other purpose.
The siren could mask or camouflage noises from the
storm or even the faint cry for help from someone
injured by flying debris. Communication among the
occupants would be difficult if they had to shout over a
deafening siren. The less noise in a building or shelter
area, the better. Silence is golden especially in the face
of danger.
12. Who activates the storm
warning system?
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Ultimately, the National Weather Service issues all
weather statements for watches and warnings. While
the threat of severe weather exists, our Communications
Center in the Department of Public Safety closely
monitors several weather information resources. This
includes but not limited to, local law enforcement
agencies, The Weather Channel, NWS Weather Alert
Radio, local radar images via the internet, even the local
radio and television stations.
Once a warning is issued for our area, a weather
statement is broadcast to those using the MSU trunked
radio system. The outdoor sirens are then activated
from the Public Safety Building at 636 E. Elm. We also
utilize the Missouri State Alert System. It too will be
activated through the Public Safety Communications
Center.
13. Since we cannot hear the outdoor
sirens, can we use the fire alarm speaker
system for the alert?
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With the current fire control system, the answer
would be “No”. Activating a fire alarm system in
a building would have the opposite effect on the
building occupants. A fire alarm is an alert for
occupants to evacuate to a safe place outside
the building.
14. What should I do if
a warning is issued?
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Immediately seek shelter near you.
15. Are straight-line winds
dangerous?
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Yes. Sometimes, they can be very dangerous
and just as destructive and deadly as a tornado.
When these dangerous winds are identified, the
storm warning system will be activated. You
should seek shelter immediately.
16. When should we leave
the shelter area?
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During the exercise, the building coordinator will release
you to return to your classes or activity after they have
completed their portion of the exercise.
During an actual WARNING, you should remain in the
shelter until it’s SAFE to leave. Follow your building
coordinator’s instructions. They’re working hard to keep
occupants safe and informed of the status of the severe
weather. This could take a few minutes to extended
periods of time depending on weather conditions. Upon
leaving, use caution and be prepared to return.
17. Our building has been damaged. The
storm appears to have passed and all is
calm. But we are asked to remain in the
shelter longer than seems necessary, why?
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Buildings that suffer structural damage pose
another whole set of problems. Caution should
be used exiting the building as there may be
strong winds with flying debris, lightning,
downed power lines, jagged glass, broken gas
lines, downed trees and other falling objects.
Staying in place may be the best option until a
SAFE ROUTE is established by rescuers.
18. What resources can we rely on for
severe weather warnings?
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There are several resources to consider. Here
are just a few:
Local Radio and Television Stations.
The Weather Channel
NWS Weather Radio
Outdoor Sirens
Police Scanners
Subscribe to the Missouri State Alert System located on
Banner.
19. We need a Weather Alert Radio.
Where can we get one?
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The NWS Weather Alert Radios can be
purchased through the Department of
Safety and Transportation at cost or
through any local electronics dealer.
Additional Information on Emergency
Response and Evacuation Procedures
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The Emergency Response and Evacuation Plan
establishes policies and procedures that will be
employed when there exists the potential for an
emergency condition, such as severe weather; an
emergency situation has or is occurring; or in any
situation where it is necessary and beneficial for the
operations of MSU to be conducted out of a single
location.
In order to ensure the various plans at MSU will work in
an emergency situation, MSU participates in drills and
exercises that include campus personnel as well as local,
county and state public safety agencies.
Additional Information on Emergency
Response and Evacuation Procedures
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The University has several procedures in place
to communicate with faculty, staff, students and
media regarding any emergency on campus and
has established an emergency mass notification
system known as the “Missouri State Alert”, on
the Springfield and West Plains campuses.
Complete details about the Emergency Response
Plan and the Missouri State Alert System can be
found at the following website address:
http://www.missouristate.edu/safetran/erp.htm.
Thank You For Your
Participation