UWS prepares for severe weather
4/21/2010
By Lucy Roberts
Staff Writer
Carol Lindberg answers students' questions about the severe weather drill.
On Thurs., April 22, the University of Wisconsin - Superior will hold a severe weather drill as a part of Wisconsin Severe Weather and Tornado Awareness Week. In preparation for the drill, a booth was set up in the Yellowjacket Union with information for students on different kinds of inclement weather.
Carol Lindberg, the Director of Environmental Health and Safety, said that it is important to practice these drills in order to know what to do and have a plan in the event of severe weather.
“We’re really not prone to tornadoes so much, but this area-including the city of Superior-has had multiple events of straight-line winds,” Lindberg said. “The straight-line winds, and the hail we have received, are equally damaging to our campus facilities, people, homes and property around town as well.”
Lindberg also said that there hasn’t been a tornado on campus before that she knows of, but there was a dust devil which set down on campus on April 22, 1992 on Earth Day. The dust devil tossed tables, scattered papers, and caused some damage and minor injuries. It’s almost ironic that the severe weather drill falls on the same date 18 years following the incident.
During the drill, those assisting students and teachers to the shelter areas will be aided by all-hazard weather alert radios that will update them on the status of the drill.
“We have no siren system in place in Superior,” Lindberg explained. “The system we had many years ago fell into disrepair…so we need to look into alternate warning systems, and this is a very effective tool to have.”
Lindberg highly suggests in investing in all-hazard weather alert radios for anyone in the area, as they not only cover tornado alerts, but also thunderstorms, snowstorms and other situations should the need arise.
The main tip Lindberg gives for people who are not able to reach a basement or designated shelter area in the event of severe weather is to find a contained area with no windows. Some good places include restrooms, hallways and corridors, and closets-anywhere that is “cozy with four walls”.
The drill will begin at about 1:45-1:55 p.m. on Thurs., and will end at 2 p.m. Those unsure of where the shelter area for the buildings on campus are, a chart can be found online at http://www.uwsuper.edu/emergency/procedures/index.cfm, or call extension 8073 from a campus phone with any weather-emergency related questions.
Carol Lindberg, the Director of Environmental Health and Safety, said that it is important to practice these drills in order to know what to do and have a plan in the event of severe weather.
“We’re really not prone to tornadoes so much, but this area-including the city of Superior-has had multiple events of straight-line winds,” Lindberg said. “The straight-line winds, and the hail we have received, are equally damaging to our campus facilities, people, homes and property around town as well.”
Lindberg also said that there hasn’t been a tornado on campus before that she knows of, but there was a dust devil which set down on campus on April 22, 1992 on Earth Day. The dust devil tossed tables, scattered papers, and caused some damage and minor injuries. It’s almost ironic that the severe weather drill falls on the same date 18 years following the incident.
During the drill, those assisting students and teachers to the shelter areas will be aided by all-hazard weather alert radios that will update them on the status of the drill.
“We have no siren system in place in Superior,” Lindberg explained. “The system we had many years ago fell into disrepair…so we need to look into alternate warning systems, and this is a very effective tool to have.”
Lindberg highly suggests in investing in all-hazard weather alert radios for anyone in the area, as they not only cover tornado alerts, but also thunderstorms, snowstorms and other situations should the need arise.
The main tip Lindberg gives for people who are not able to reach a basement or designated shelter area in the event of severe weather is to find a contained area with no windows. Some good places include restrooms, hallways and corridors, and closets-anywhere that is “cozy with four walls”.
The drill will begin at about 1:45-1:55 p.m. on Thurs., and will end at 2 p.m. Those unsure of where the shelter area for the buildings on campus are, a chart can be found online at http://www.uwsuper.edu/emergency/procedures/index.cfm, or call extension 8073 from a campus phone with any weather-emergency related questions.
PHOTO OF THE DAY:::...
Art in the park. Photo by Alyssa Palmer
WEATHER:::...
Call the University Weather Hotline for campus closures and other weather updates 1-715-394-8400
FIND US ON:::...
