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Stay Informed About Severe Weather

It's severe weather season. Make sure you are signed up for text alerts and where your shelter location is during a weather emergency.

  • published: 2022/06/13
UNO campanile

Getting ahead of severe weather, no matter the season, is important to staying informed and staying safe.


Emergency Notifications

In the event of a major emergency affecting the UNO campus, the administration may use one or more of the following means to communicate with the university community: posts on UNO's Facebook and Twitter accounts, an all-campus email, an emergency banner on the UNO homepage, or the UNO Alerts system.

Sign Up for UNO Alerts

UNO uses text message capabilities to reach a broader area than other methods permit. You can also elect to receive an email of the emergency message. This service is free to the UNO community.

  • Use your UNO NetID: Sign Up or Confirm Your Info: The UNO NetID is your username and password for online services that are specific to UNO, like your email. If you need assistance in this process, please email Sgt. Dave Points at dpoints@unomaha.edu.

  • Opt-In Via Text Message (NetID not required): Text unoalert to 79516 to opt-in. A NetID is not required for this process. Standard messaging and data rates apply.


Be Prepared

During severe weather season, stay tuned to local weather sources and take all necessary precautions to be prepared for severe weather and make sure you are signed up for UNO Alerts.

Monitor Local Weather

When there is a threat for severe weather, you can monitor local news channels or websites to stay informed about changing conditions.

Note: UNO is located in Douglas County.

What to Do In Case of a Tornado Watch or Warning

Tornado Watches and Warnings are issued by the National Weather Service when the probability exists that a significant threat could develop over a wide area. A TORNADO WATCH means that tornadoes are likely to develop. A TORNADO WARNING means that a tornado actually has been sighted somewhere in the general area, you need to take immediate shelter. Campus shelter locations are listed below.

If the warning sirens are sounded or a tornado is sighted:

  • Proceed immediately to the interior hallway on the lowest floor or basement, unless there are boilers or electrical switch-gear areas housed in the basement.

  • If time does not permit, get into the safest area of classroom, office, or residence (the inside wall away from the doors and windows).

  • Avoid windows, auditoriums, gymnasiums or other structures with free-span roofs and boiler or electrical switch-gear areas.

  • Take shelter underneath your desk or any heavy furniture available.

  • Assume a curled position protecting your head and eyes.

  • All persons should remain in the shelter areas until advised the warning has ended.

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Shelter Locations

In the event of a tornado warning or severe high winds, the UNO campus will issue a campuswide notification so that students, faculty, and staff can quickly exit to the nearest shelter location.

Campus Tornado Shelter Areas

Residence Hall Shelter Area
Maverick Village Maverick Village Clubhouse Basement
University Village Weber Fine Arts lower level
Scott Court First floor hallway
Scott Residence Hall First floor north hallway
Scott Village Basement of the Commons Building
Building Shelter Area
Alumni Center Lowel level, rooms 030-032, Bootstrapper Hall (107)
Allwine Hall First floor, west hallway between rooms 114-138
Annexes Lower level, not in furnace/boiler room
Arts & Sciences Hall First floor hallway, interior rooms on south side if unlocked
Biomechanics Research Bldg. Lower level hallway between room 113-137
CPACS Lower level northeast rooms 003, A, B, E, F, G, H. If lower level is secured, use the first floor north hallway between rooms 111-102, if open use rooms on south side of hallway
Center Building Garage
Central Utilities Under stairs lower level
Comm. Engagement Center Garage
Durham Science Center Use northeast and southeast stairwells to reach the lower level hallway
East Garage North lower level (Lot T) stairwells
Eppley Administration Bldg. Lower level hallways
H&K Bldg. 2nd lower level hallway between rooms 002-017
Kayser Hall First floor except mechanical rooms; stairwell
Library First floor area by the restrooms and elevator
Mammel Hall Restrooms on all levels (reinforced concrete columns); first floor hallway between rooms 115 and 121
Maverick Landing/Scott Crossing In Scott Crossing: First level, north side. Specially constructed hallway starting just past the administration area going all the way around ending short of the lounge area.
Milo Bail Student Center

Basement of the Bookstore

First floor hallways by restrooms in southwest corner

Hallways and rooms in northwest corner
Pacific Street Parking Garage First floor, east wall on southern half of the garage
Parking Building Primary Room 108, Secondary Room 109
PKCC Lower level garage
Peter Kiewit Institute (PKI) First floor hallway between rooms 116-146 and 172-193
Roskens Hall Lower level auditorium, rooms 002-009
Sapp Fieldhouse Men's and women's locker rooms
Sculpture/Ceramics Studio CEC Garage, southwest entrance to CEC; H&K second lower level hallway
Strauss Performing Arts Center First floor north hallway; Milo Bail has shelter areas via the northwest entrance to Milo Bail
Weber Fine Arts Bldg. Lower level, long hallway on eastside of building
West Garage Lower level stairwells