Purdue News
Purdue News
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March 3, 2001 Purdue to observe Severe Weather Awareness WeekWEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue University safety officials announced today (3/2) that the university is joining with Indiana Gov. Frank O'Bannon and Tippecanoe County by proclaiming next week (3/4-3/10) as "Severe Weather Awareness Week." Purdue will conduct tornado drills Wednesday (3/7) from 1:30-2 p.m. and 7:30-8 p.m. "Conducting drills twice in one day will allow employees to participate in a drill with their children," said Thomas Cooper, fire safety specialist for the Department of Safety and Security. "Parents need to educate their children about what do in case of severe weather. "Drills and sirens are helpful, but awareness is the key to tornado safety. If people wait until the sirens go off, it's probably too late." Cooper, who conducts tornado awareness workshops on campus, said employees and students can better for severe weather conditions by educating themselves about tornado terminology, as well as official Purdue tornado procedures. The following are tornado procedures issued by Purdue's Department of Safety and Security: When atmospheric conditions are favorable for the formation of tornadoes, the National Weather Service will issue a tornado watch. Purdue faculty, staff and students should listen to the radio, watch television or use a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration weather-alert radio to keep informed about conditions. If a tornado has been sighted and poses a threat, the weather service will issue a tornado warning. After a warning has been issued, NOAA weather-alert radios will sound an alert, outdoor sirens will sound for a period in excess of two minutes and a voice message will be broadcast over WBAA's AM and FM radio stations and other local broadcast media. The media will issue instructions about the severity of the emergency, and employees and students should immediately take shelter in a basement or subwalk away from window glass and be prepared to kneel facing a wall with their heads covered. Everyone should remain in the shelter until an "all clear" message is issued. After a storm has passed, employees and staff should avoid damaged buildings and buildings with broken utility lines. If necessary, employees can contact Purdue emergency services at (765) 494-1424. CONTACT: Thomas Cooper, fire safety specialist, Department of Safety and Security, (765) 494-1432, tncooper@purdue.edu.
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