U of A Observing Severe Weather Awareness Week

Photo Submitted

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – This week --  February 25 through March 3 – is  Severe Weather Awareness Week in Arkansas. The U of A Division of Emergency Management is working with the National Weather Service and Arkansas Department of Emergency Management to make sure you know how to receive emergency weather messages and have a plan for seeking shelter  when a tornado or other severe weather threatens.

EMERGENCY MESSAGES

RazALERT emergency messages are sent automatically to all campus phones and email addresses in the event of a tornado warning. Cell phone and text messages are also sent to personal phones, but you have to sign up for them. It’s easy to do:

• Students – log into UAConnect, go to your Profile, then to Campus Alerts. Put in the numbers you want to use and check the boxes for the messages you want.
• Faculty and Staff – log in to webBASIS, go to My Personal Data, then Addresses, etc. and look for Contact Information. Check the boxes for the messages you want.

If you are outside and away from your cellphone on campus you can also hear the campus outdoor warning sirens and messages.

SHELTER

In general, the safest place during a tornado is a building with a permanent foundation, on the lowest floor of an interior room. The idea is to put as many walls as possible between you and the outdoors.

Please visit the National Weather Service for more weather safety information, including severe thunderstorm safety.  For more information on emergency preparedness at the U of A and for information on how to sign up for RazALERT messages,  please visit safety.uark.edu.