Test of Campus Warning Systems Planned for Severe Weather Awareness Week
In conjunction with a test of Douglas County’s outdoor sirens, UNO will test campus warning systems during a tornado drill on Wednesday, March 29, sometime between 10 and 11 A.M.
- published: 2023/03/27
- contact: Diane Mack - Department of Public Safety
- email: dimack@unmc.edu
- search keywords:
- Tornado Drill
- Public Safety
When spring arrives, the severe weather season is not far behind. March 27-31 is Severe Weather Awareness Week in Nebraska.
The week is designed to raise awareness of Nebraska’s spring weather, which can include tornadoes, baseball-sized hail, weeklong flash floods and severe lightning storms, and risk of fire.
“We can’t stop nature from unleashing severe weather, but we can take actions to be more prepared for spring storms,” said Diane Mack, Director of Emergency Management for UNO. “We encourage everyone to make sure you’re signed up for UNO Alert, join us for our tornado drill, review tornado shelter locations in the buildings you frequent and in your home, and prepare an emergency kit that includes basic supplies such as food, water, and flashlights.”
Campus Warning Systems Test on March 29
In conjunction with a test of Douglas County’s outdoor sirens, the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) will test campus warning systems during a tornado drill on Wednesday, March 29, sometime between 10 and 11 A.M.
The Department of Public Safety encourages all faculty, staff, and students to participate in the drill wherever you are; however, participation is not mandatory.
Explore UNO's Emergency website for severe weather information, including a list of shelter locations and ways to stay informed. To learn more about storms and become a Storm Spotter, save the date for April 17, and plan to join the National Weather Service for training in 132 CPACS. Additional information about this training session will be announced.
About the Tornado Drill
The drill should last roughly five minutes. Public Safety will send a message through UNO Alert. Everyone participating in the drill should take their bags, laptops, or other personal items with them to the shelter area. Take a picture of your group sheltering and post it with the tags #unomaha and #shelterselfie!
This drill is voluntary; however, during an actual tornado warning activation, students, faculty, and staff must report to their designated shelter area or leave the building. Failure to take one of those two options could result in administrative, academic or possible criminal sanctions depending on the circumstances. People cannot be forced to stay in a shelter area, but if they chose to leave, they must leave the building.
About Tornado Sirens
Aside from tests, there are three reasons that sirens will go off during tornado season:
1. The National Weather Service initiates a tornado warning for any part of Douglas County.
2. A public safety official or trained storm-spotter sees a rotating funnel cloud or tornado in Douglas County.
3. Douglas County 911 receives credible reports of damage or the imminent threat of hurricane-force sustained winds (74 mph+).
UNO will activate its warning systems any time that Douglas County activates its sirens during these incidents. The two nearest sirens to campus are located by Brownell Talbot in Dundee and by Elmwood Park, northeast of the Peter Kiewit Institute.