SEVERE WEATHER PROCEDURES & EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS CHECKLIST REVISED 3/5/2018

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Jeremy Daniels
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1 SEVERE WEATHER PROCEDURES & EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS CHECKLIST REVISED 3/5/2018 Weather is mnitred daily by Campus Operatins, Envirnmental Health & Safety (EH&S), and ECU Plice Department (PD). The intent f these prcedures and checklist is t prvide an rganized and efficient guide fr the preparatin fr, respnse t, and recvery frm severe weather. Nte: Human Resurces shuld send ut the Adverse Weather & Emergency Event Regulatin at least tw times a year (generally at the beginning f hurricane seasn and again during winter weather seasn). The regulatin is als available at Visit fr weather frecasts and prducts. T zm in and view warning plygns, visit - scrll dwn t the radar. Click n the radar t view plygn warnings. Click n cmpsite lp, then, when laded, left-click n Greenville t zm in, cntrl + left-click t zm ut. Campus Operatins, EH&S, and ECU PD have access t many ther weather resurces, listed belw. SEVERE WEATHER PROCEDURES WHEN A SEVERE WEATHER EVENT IS FORECAST: Campus Operatins, EH&S, and ECU PD will cntinuusly mnitr fr severe weather via varius weather utlets. Ways t receive weather infrmatin: Weather.gv NOAA Weather Radi Televisin Subscriptin t inws NWSChat Law Enfrcement Teletype System (LETS) NC First WeatherSTEM WeatherSentry ECU PD will be the lead agency t issue trnad warnings and severe thunderstrm warnings t the campus cmmunity as apprpriate. EH&S will assist as needed. See the Criteria fr Sending an ECU Alert fr Severe Weather belw, as well as ECU PD s respnsibilities listed in the checklist CRITERIA FOR SENDING AN ECU ALERT FOR SEVERE WEATHER: TORNADO Once a trnad watch / warning is issued by NWS fr Greenville, ECU PD will be ntified immediately. Nte: An ECU Alert fr Trnad Watch is rarely utilized n its wn. The Trnad Watch shuld generally be used t dismiss r expire a Trnad Warning. In this fashin, the Trnad Watch serves as an All Clear message, but reminds end-users that the severe weather may nt be ver.

2 Criteria fr sending an ECU Alert fr Trnad Warning, the warning must include the fllwing: Greenville is mentined in the text f the warning prduct; and ECU is mentined in the text f the warning prduct; r Warning plygn must be tuching r cver parts f any ECU campus r cmplex Criteria fr sending an ECU Alert fr Trnad Watch, the watch must include the fllwing: Thse mentined abve; and Particularly Dangerus Situatin (PDS) is included in the text f the watch prduct Exceptin: ECU PD may send an ALL CLEAR message when the warning expires r send a TORNADO WATCH message if a watch is cntinued fr ur area ECU PD will crdinate the issuing f an ECU Alert fr Trnad Warning, which is saved as a template in the Emergency Ntificatin System (ENS) fr their cnvenience. EH&S will assist as needed. ECU Alert messages will be sent via all ntificatin methds t bradcast the life-threatening warnings t the campus. This message prvides instructins fr self-prtectin including: seek shelter indrs, n the lwest flr, near the center f the building, away frm windws and drs. The message will als ask that the ECU Alert message be shared with thers in the area. SEVERE THUNDERSTORM Once a severe thunderstrm warning is issued by NWS fr Greenville, ECU PD will be ntified immediately. Nte: An ECU Alert fr Severe Thunderstrm Warning is rarely utilized n its wn. The Severe Thunderstrm Warning shuld generally be used t dismiss r expire a Trnad Warning. In this fashin, the Severe Thunderstrm Warning serves as an All Clear message, but reminds end-users that the severe weather may nt be ver. Criteria fr sending an ECU Alert fr Severe Thunderstrm Warning, the warning must include: Greenville is mentined in the text f the warning prduct; and ECU is mentined in the text f the warning prduct; r Warning plygn must be tuching r cver parts f any ECU campus r cmplex Exceptin: ECU PD may send an ALL CLEAR message when a trnad warning expires r send a SEVERE WEATHER WARNING message if a warning is cntinued fr ur area ECU PD will crdinate the issuing f an ECU Alert fr Severe Thunderstrm Warning, which is saved as a template in the ENS fr their cnvenience. EH&S will assist as needed. The ECU Alert messages will be sent thrugh the same ntificatin methds as the Trnad Warning r Watch. This message explains that the trnad warning has expired, but a severe thunderstrm warning still remains in effect and end-users shuld remain vigilant. This template culd be altered fr high wind events r particularly dangerus situatin (PDS) severe thunderstrm watch (as deemed apprpriated).

3 ALL CLEAR ECU PD will cntinue t mnitr the hazardus weather until the Natinal Weather Service has expired r dwngraded the watch / warning. An ECU Alert fr all-clear / dismissal / expiratin must always be sent after a trnad warning. ECU PD may chse t send an All Clear Severe Weather, Trnad Watch, r Severe Thunderstrm Warning. ECU PD will crdinate the issuing f an ECU Alert t expire the trnad warning; there are 3 ptins as mentined abve and each has a saved template in the ENS fr their cnvenience. REPORTING OBSERVATIONS & DAMAGE: Strm bservatins and damage reprts shuld be sent t EH&S ( r safety@ecu.edu) wh will direct the reprt t the Natinal Weather Service (NWS) and Campus Operatins. The fllwing bservatins shuld be shared with EH&S: Trnad, funnel, r rtating / persistent wall clud Flash flding 1 inch r greater hail Wind speed f 58 mph r greater Persistent nn-rtating wall clud Rainfall 1 inch r mre per hur Damage frm thunderstrm Damage can als be reprted using the LiveSafe app. Submit damage by reprting a tip and selecting the Safety / Repair Issue r Other tip-type. Yu can submit text, vide, phts, and audi regarding the damage thrugh the app. The tip will be received by ECU PD and will be shared with Campus Operatins and EH&S fr review. If damage is fund n campus, yu may als submit a request fr service thrugh ECU Facilities Services nline wrk management system: AssetWrks (lgin is required) r by cntacting the Facilities Service Center by telephne at Trained strm sptters shuld reprt any severe weather bserved (as listed abve) immediately and directly t NWS (either by calling , ing wxbs.mhx@naa.gv r using the nline reprt frm: Please als cntact EH&S ( r safety@ecu.edu) s we have recrd f yur bservatin(s). Have yur sptter ID number available. Members f the Emergency Management r Crisis Plicy teams may als cmmunicate bservatins and damage via VEOCI (lgin and permissins are required), the nline situatinal awareness platfrm used t cmmunicate hazards and impacts t the campus cmmunity.

4 SEVERE WEATHER EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS CHECKLIST GENERAL (ALL DIVISIONS / DEPARTMENTS) Understand the type f hazardus weather that can affect Greenville. Visit ReadyNC.rg t learn mre. Check weather frecasts regularly and cnsider signing up fr weather alerts. Develp and review emergency prcedures fr sheltering-in-place fr severe weather. Fr mre infrmatin, please see Shelter-in-Place Prcedures and Severe Weather Safety. Develp unit-specific severe weather ntificatin and recall phne trees (if applicable) t insure vulnerable staff are ntified in a timely manner. MODULAR UNITS Mst remaining mdular units have NOAA Weather Radis that were distributed and prgrammed by EH&S. If yu are in a mdular unit and wuld like a weather radi r perhaps need yur radi reprgrammed, please cntact EH&S ( r safety@ecu.edu). When the weather radi activates r ccupants receive an ECU Alert fr a trnad warning, all mdular unit ccupants will evacuate t their designated areas, as listed later in this dcument. All evacuees will remain in the designated shelter until given an all clear (r expiratin) message thrugh ECU Alert, ECU PD, r their departmental representative. Each department utilizing mdular units shuld cnduct a review f their trnad warning prcedures annually (recmmended February / March) and upn an emplyee s initial assignment t a mdular unit. Tpics t address include: Mdular-specific prcedures fr severe weather Accuntability and ntificatin f mdular unit ccupants Evacuatin and/r shelter-in-place lcatin(s) Recall prcedures It is the respnsibility f each unit t ntify EH&S if phne numbers r evacuatin lcatins change. Due t the rapid scaling f respnsibilities fr ECU PD during severe weather events, it is strngly advised that each divisin / department develp their wn severe weather ntificatin and recall phne trees t insure vulnerable staff are ntified in a timely manner. GROUNDS SERVICES When the weather radi in the Grunds ffice alarms r ccupants receive an ECU Alert fr a trnad warning, the first emplyee hearing r reading the warning shall verify the warning threat n the NWS radar site (if time allws). That persn will ntify all grunds wrkers via radi f the trnad warning and instruct them t seek apprpriate shelter. Nte: The digital radis have been added t the ENS and shuld sund fr an ECU Alert fr Trnad Warning. Grunds supervisrs will ensure all grunds wrkers are ntified and accunted fr. When the trnad warning is expired r ccupants receive an ECU Alert fr warning expiratin, Grunds supervisrs shuld ensure all Grunds wrkers are ntified and accunted fr.

5 ECU TRANSIT When Transit dispatch receives an ECU Alert fr a trnad warning, the first emplyee hearing r reading the warning shall verify the warning threat n the NWS radar site (if time allws). That persn will ntify all buses / vehicles via radi f the trnad warning and instruct them t park and evacuate t the nearest apprpriate shelter. Nte: The digital radis have been added t the ENS and shuld sund fr an ECU Alert fr Trnad Warning. Buses / vehicles n-campus will shut dwn and evacuate t nearest safe building. Buses / vehicles ff-campus (at / near apartment cmplexes) will shut dwn and evacuate t the main ffice f the cmplex. Buses / vehicles in rute t / frm campus will find the nearest safe building, shut dwn, and evacuate. Preference is a University structure (if cnditins allw time t get there) but als encurage the use f retail centers fr shelter. Transit dispatch will attempt t cntact peratrs nce the all clear is given and service can resume. ECU POLICE DEPARTMENT When a severe weather warning is issued fr the Greenville area, ECU PD may issue an ECU Alert (see Criteria fr Sending an ECU Alert fr Severe Weather ): The Trnad Warning message must always be sent when the criteria is met and ne f the all clear messages must als be sent t annunce the expiratin f the trnad warning. The Trnad Watch and Severe Thunderstrm Warning messages are used sparingly as standalne alerts; typically, when there are large events ccurring utdrs (Nrth Recreatinal Cmplex / Athletics Cmplex) and t warn Grunds staff. Because the Greenville area is privy t see multiple trnad watches and severe thunderstrms during the spring and summer mnths, these alerts are reserved fr particularly dangerus situatins. Instead f standalne alerts, the Trnad Watch and Severe Thunderstrm Warning messages can be used t describe a trnad warning expiratin, while als emphasizing the threat fr severe weather remains. An all clear message is warranted fr trnad warnings; but is nt required fr either the trnad watch r severe thunderstrm warning. ECU PD will cntact the recall phne numbers listed later in this dcument t cmmunicate an all clear message t the mdular unit evacuees (as available r apprpriate).

6 HIGH WIND EVENT PROCEDURES Occasinally, Eastern Nrth Carlina is subject t high wind speeds that may pse a hazard r is life-threatening. During these events, a severe thunderstrm warning r high wind warning may be issued by the NWS. If sustained winds are expected t exceed 40 mph, ECU PD can mdify the Severe Thunderstrm Warning t include language regarding the high wind warning and need fr mdular units t evacuate t their designated areas. Nte: There are times when wind gusts may exceed 40 mph, but n ECU Alert wuld have been sent and n rderly shutdwn culd ccur due t shrt lead time fr such micr-scale weather events. Typically, high wind events (with sustained high winds) are frecasted days in advance and the departments listed in this dcument are able t prepare and mnitr nging weather cnditins. As sustained winds reach 40 mph and are expected t increase, there will be an rderly shutdwn f utdr activities and evacuatin f the mdular units. All persns utdrs and ccupants f mdular units shuld be safely relcated befre sustained winds reach 40 mph as this is the wind speed at which all utdr University activities shall begin t shut dwn. It is the respnsibility f the student, faculty, and staff t determine if they can safely travel r nt. ECU Transit will halt services until winds fall belw warning criteria. Only emergency respnse and ECU patrls will be allwed t perate at this pint. At wind gusts f 50 mph with the expectatin that wind gust speeds will increase, all utdr activities (i.e. ECU PD patrls) shall shut dwn, except in the case f a respnse t a life-threatening event. Once wind gusts and sustained winds decrease belw the warning criteria (and cntinue drpping), ECU PD will crdinate an ECU Alert t be distributed t campus annuncing the expiratin f the high wind warning. This message will prvide specific instructins regarding the return t the mdular units. ECU PD will cntact the recall phne numbers listed later in this attachment t cmmunicate the All Clear message t the mdular unit evacuees (as available and apprpriate).

7 MODULAR UNIT CONTACTS Mdular Unit Unit # Evacuatin Site Recall # Irns Mdular Unit Irns Building HSC Grunds Large Strage Building (252) Unit 6, Bistatistics Mye I r II Public Health (Unit 6, 7 & 8) Mye I r II This infrmatin is prvided fr reference and infrmatinal purpses in the event ECU PD needs t make cntact with the mdular units fr recall. Nte: It is the respnsibility f each unit t ntify EH&S ( r safety@ecu.edu) if phne numbers r evacuatin lcatins change.

8 GENERAL SEVERE WEATHER SAFETY INFORMATION Always be aware f the weather frecast fr the day, check daily fr yur area. Be aware t changing weather cnditins; lk and listen fr appraching strms: Dark (greenish) cluds, large hail, rtating cluds, lud rar (like a train), lightning, thunder Pstpne utdr activities during thunderstrms and secure utdr bjects that culd blw away r cause damage. During thunderstrms, avid cntact with anything metal, electrical equipment/crds, and plumbing. After a severe strm has passed, cntinue t mnitr weather resurces fr emergency infrmatin r subsequent strms. Never drive thrugh a flded radway; turn arund, dn t drwn! Stay away frm dwned pwer lines and reprt them immediately. Help peple wh may require special assistance and watch yur animals clsely. TAKING SHELTER Sturdy, Permanent Structure Mdular Unit Outside with N Shelter G t a pre-designated area: - Safe rm, basement, r lwest level - Center f interir rm (clset, bathrm, r hallway) - Away frm crners, windws, r exterir drs - Get under sturdy furniture - Prtect yur head and neck D nt pen windws. Get ut immediately and g t a pre-designated area in a sturdy, permanent structure. If accessible, immediately get int vehicle, buckle seat belt and try t drive t clsest sturdy, permanent structure. - If vehicle is hit by flying debris, pull ff the rad and park Take cver in a statinary vehicle. - Buckle seat belt and cver yur head and neck Lie in an pen area nticeably lwer than level f radway (ditch) and cver yur head and neck. - D nt take shelter under an verpass r bridge. - Never try t utrun a trnad in an urban area; leave the vehicle and immediately seek a sturdy, permanent structure. - Watch ut fr flying debris. Visit fr mre infrmatin.

9 DEFINITIONS: NWS SEVERE WEATHER AND TORNADO PRODUCTS Watch Trnad Warning This prduct is issued when cnditins are favrable fr the develpment f trnades in and clse t the watch area. Their size can vary depending n the weather situatin. They are usually issued fr a duratin f 4 t 8 hurs. They are nrmally issued well in advance f the actual ccurrence f severe weather. During the watch, peple shuld review trnad safety prcedures and be prepared t mve a place f safety if threatening weather appraches. A Trnad Watch is issued by the SPC in Nrman, Oklahma. Prir t the issuance f a Trnad Watch, SPC will usually cntact the affected lcal NWS ffice and they will discuss what their current thinking is n the weather situatin. During the watch, the NWS ffice will keep the public infrmed n what is happening in the watch area and als let the public knw when the watch has expired r been cancelled. This prduct is issued when a trnad is indicated by radar r sighted by sptters; therefre, peple in the affected area shuld seek safe shelter immediately. They can be issued withut a Trnad Watch being already in effect. They are usually issued fr a duratin f arund 30 minutes. A Trnad Warning is issued by yur lcal NWS ffice. It will include where the trnad was lcated and what twns will be in its path. After it has been issued, the affected NWS ffice will fllw it up peridically with Severe Weather Statements. These statements will cntain updated infrmatin n the trnad and they will als let the public knw when the warning is n lnger in effect. Watch High Wind Warning This prduct is issued by the NWS when there is the ptential f high wind speeds develping that may pse a hazard r is life-threatening. The prduct is issued when cnditins are favrable fr develpment f sustained winds f 40 mph r greater and / r gusts f 58 mph r greater within 24 t 48 hurs. This prduct is issued by NWS when high wind speeds may pse a hazard r is life-threatening. The prduct is issued fr nn-cnvective sustained wind speeds 40 mph and greater and / r frequent wind gusts 50 mph and greater r any winds gusts 58 mph and greater. Watch Flash Fld Warning This prduct is issued t indicate current r develping hydrlgic cnditins that are favrable fr flash flding in and clse t the watch area, but the ccurrence is neither certain r imminent. This prduct is issued t infrm the public, emergency management, and ther cperating agencies that flash flding is in prgress, imminent, r highly likely.

10 Watch Severe Thunderstrm Warning This prduct is issued by the NWS when cnditins are favrable fr the develpment f severe thunderstrms in and clse t the watch area. A severe thunderstrm, by definitin, is a thunderstrm that prduces ne-inch hail r larger in diameter and / r winds equal t r exceeding 58 mph. The size f the watch can vary depending n the weather situatin. They are usually issued fr a duratin f 4 t 8 hurs. They are nrmally issued well in advance f the actual ccurrence f severe weather. During the watch, peple shuld review severe thunderstrm safety prcedures and be prepared t mve a place f safety if threatening weather appraches. A Severe Thunderstrm Watch is issued by the SPC in Nrman, Oklahma. Prir t the issuance f a Severe Thunderstrm Watch, SPC will usually cntact the affected lcal NWS ffice and they will discuss what their current thinking is n the weather situatin. During the watch, the NWS ffice will keep the public infrmed n what is happening in the watch area and als let the public knw when the watch has expired r been cancelled. This prduct is issued when either a severe thunderstrm is indicated by radar r a sptter reprts a thunderstrm prducing hail ne-inch r larger in diameter and / r winds equal t r exceeding 58 mph; therefre, peple in the affected area shuld seek safe shelter immediately. Severe thunderstrms can prduce trnades with little r n advance warning. Lightning frequency is nt a criterin fr issuing a severe thunderstrm warning. They are usually issued fr a duratin f ne hur. They can be issued withut a Severe Thunderstrm Watch being already in effect. The Severe Thunderstrm Warning is issued by yur NWS ffice. Severe Thunderstrm Warnings will include where the strm was lcated, what twns will be affected by the severe thunderstrm, and the primary threat assciated with the severe thunderstrm warning. After it has been issued, the affected NWS ffice will fllw it up peridically with Severe Weather Statements. These statements will cntain updated infrmatin n the severe thunderstrm and they will als let the public knw when the warning is n lnger in effect.

SEVERE WEATHER PROCEDURES & EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS CHECKLIST REVISED 3/6/2017

SEVERE WEATHER PROCEDURES & EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS CHECKLIST REVISED 3/6/2017 The weather is monitored on a daily basis by Campus Operations, Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S), and ECU Police Department