Severe Weather and Tornado Planning

Tornado Planning

Seek Refuge

When: You receive a Severe Weather Alert to seek refuge or hear tornado sirens signal severe weather.

You Should: Seek refuge inside a building and remain there. Go to the lowest level of the building, interior rooms or hallways and away from doors and windows.

GET IN, GET DOWN, COVER UP!

DO NOT seek refuge in a car.

IF NO STRUCTURE IS AVAILABLE lie flat on the ground and cover head with hands and arms.

DO NOT seek refuge under a bridge or overpass.

WAIT for official notice to resume normal activities.

Severe Weather and Tornado Safety:

The City of Norman maintains a citywide civil defence warning siren that will be sounded in the event of a tornado warning. If severe weather is imminent and you are outdoors, move indoors as quickly as possible.

  1. Consider obtaining an emergency kit and weather radio for your department.
  2. Shut off any equipment that might be affected by a temporary loss of electricity.
  3. Close hallway doors and you leave to shield the corridors from flying debris.
  4. Move to any of the best available refuge areas in the building. Become familiar with the location of the best available refuge area in your building before a storm occurs.
  5. When you are in buildings without designated shelters, move to a small room on lower levels, an interior hallway, or basement. GET IN, GET DOWN AND COVER UP!
  6. Avoid upper floors, large glassed areas, and windows.
  7. Stay out of parking garages and exterior walkways. Stay away from electrical appliances.
  8. Use the telephone for emergency calls ONLY.
  9. STAY CALM AND STAY ALERT.
  10. Call 911 to report any damage.
  11. There WILL NOT be an all clear signal from the siren system in Norman.