Severe Weather

Tornado season generally is late March through August, although tornadoes can occur at any time of year. They often occur in the afternoons and evenings; over 80% of all tornadoes strike between noon and midnight. Occasionally, tornadoes develop so rapidly that advanced warning is impossible, increasing the need to remain alert for rapidly changing weather conditions.

These are the signs of a tornado:

• An approaching cloud of debris can mark the location of a tornado even if a funnel is not visible.
• Before a tornado hits, the wind may die down, and the air may become very still.
• Tornadoes generally occur near the trailing edge of a thunderstorm. It is not uncommon to see clear, sunlit skies behind a tornado.

If you become aware of a tornado (i.e., from a U-M Emergency Alert, local media or Ann Arbor’s outdoor warning sirens), please take the following precautions:

• Persons outside should immediately find shelter. Safe shelters include:
  • Internal hallways on the lowest floors of buildings
  • Internal classrooms or offices without glass windows, walls and panels
  • Basements
  • Internal stairwells that do not have windows
• Safe shelters do not include:
  • Rooms with high-profile or long ceilings, such as gymnasiums, auditoriums and cafeterias
  • Rooms with an outside wall or windows
  • Doors that have glass inserts
  • Rooms with atriums, skylights or glass walls
• Monitor local weather via radio, internet or TV to stay informed.
• Remain in a sheltered area until the tornado warning expires or emergency personnel have issued an “all clear” signal.
• Upon exiting your shelter, be wary of downed power lines, gas line breaks, broken glass, or other potentially sharp or dangerous objects.
• Even after the tornado has passed, avoid damaged buildings or structures; you do not want to be struck by debris or trapped in a collapse.

Lightning, hail, and heavy rain may not seem as dangerous as a tornado, but do not underestimate them. Each presents a danger in its own way. Hail can cause damage to property or injury to people; lightning can start fires or kill people when it strikes; and heavy rain can obscure visibility and even cause flooding.

What you can do to stay safe:

• If there is hail:
  • Take cover.
  • Stay away from windows.
  • If you are driving, pull over somewhere safe (under a bridge, for example).
• If there is lightning:
  • Take shelter inside.
  • Avoid using corded electrical equipment.
  • Avoid sinks, baths, showers and other plumbing.
• If there is heavy rain:
  • If possible, do not drive.
  • If you do have to drive, slow down and keep your lights on.
  • Do not drive through floodwaters or deep puddles, as these can cause your car to stall or cause you to lose control.

Floods can result from a number of weather events, including, but not limited to, heavy snowfall that subsequently melts, heavy rainfall and storm surge. Flood waters can be still or fast-moving, shallow or deep, but they are always dangerous.

What you can do to stay safe:

• Monitor a local weather station via radio, internet or TV. It is essential to stay informed.
• Maintain an emergency supplies kit, which includes items such as:
  • First aid supplies
  • Snacks
  • Flashlight
  • Batteries
  • Clean, drinkable water
  • Necessary medications
• Do not walk or drive through flood waters.
• In the event of a flash flood, move to higher ground.
• You should not touch or use any electrical equipment if you are wet or standing in water.

Blizzards can immobilize an entire region with their heavy snowfall and extreme cold. They can also result in flooding, storm surge, closed highways, blocked roads, downed power lines and even hypothermia.

What you can do to stay safe:

• Monitor local weather via radio, internet or TV to stay informed.
• If you go outside, dress appropriately for the weather. Instead of one heavy layer, wear several layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, and warm clothing. Choose outer garments that are tightly woven and repel water.
• Cover your mouth with a scarf to protect your lungs.
• Watch for signs of frostbite. These include loss of feeling and a white or pale appearance in extremities such as fingers, toes, ear lobes and nose tips. If symptoms are detected, get medical help immediately.
• Watch for signs of hypothermia. These include uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness and apparent exhaustion. If symptoms occur:
  • Get to a warm location
  • Remove any wet clothing
  • Put on dry clothing
  • Wrap your entire body in a blanket
  • Warm the center of your body first
  • Drink warm, non-alcoholic and non-caffeinated beverages
  • Get medical help as soon as possible
• Maintain an emergency supplies kit in both your home and your car. Include items such as:
  • Shovel
  • First aid kit with a pocket knife
  • Windshield scraper and small broom
  • Necessary medications
  • Flashlight
  • Blankets
  • Battery-powered radio
  • A tow chain or rope
  • Extra batteries
  • Road salt and sand
  • Water
  • Jumper cables
  • Snack food
  • Emergency flares
  • Matches
  • Extra hats, socks and mittens

Freezing rain from an ice storm can cover everything with a heavy, smooth layer of ice. Ice-covered roads become slippery and hazardous. The ice may cause vehicles to skid out of control, which in turn may cause devastating car crashes or pile-ups. Pedestrians may also be affected by ice storms, as sidewalks can become slippery, causing people to fall. Stairs, ramps and hills are hazardous.

What you can do to stay safe:

• Monitor local weather via radio, internet or TV. It is essential to stay informed.
• If possible, do not drive.
• If you do need to drive, use extreme caution.
• Also, be cautious as a pedestrian. Sidewalks, stairs, ramps, and other ice-covered surfaces will be slippery. If there is a railing, use it.
• Be wary of and avoid downed branches, trees or power lines.
• If you need to go outside, dress in layers. Stay warm.
• Call your utility company if you live off campus and your residence has lost power. In the meantime, keep your house or apartment as warm as possible by:
  • Shutting doors to rooms you are not using
  • Using towels to seal the bottoms or tops of doors
  • Covering your windows at night (for example, with blankets or towels)