Tornados
An average of 15 tornados develop in Michigan every year, often touching down with only a few minutes of warning. Stay ahead of the storm by signing up for your county’s emergency messaging and reviewing this campus safety guidance.

 

Prepare now
First, understand the difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning. A watch is often issued several hours in advance, covering a large area where the conditions are right for the development of a tornado.

A warning, on the other hand, is issued for a highly localized area – often just a portion of one town or city – where a tornado has been seen or detected on radar. Warnings are often issued only minutes before a tornado hits, and are an urgent call to seek shelter.

The Eaton and Ingham county 911 offices are responsible for sending tornado warnings from the National Weather Service regional office. We encourage you to sign up for your county’s emergency messaging.

This year’s statewide tornado drill is scheduled for 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 18. Everyone in Ingham, Clinton and Eaton counties will receive a test alert to their cell phone at that time, and tornado sirens will sound. These alerts will go to all cell phones in the area, and they are loud! You’ll hear a distinct alert tone, repeated multiple times, and your phone will vibrate. LCC will not ask you to shelter during this drill, so you do not need to do anything if you are on campus at that time.

 

Survive during
The college will announce tornado warnings that include one or more of our locations over the Public Address systems, to ensure those on campus receive the message quickly. LCC will not call, text or email you with tornado warnings sent out by the county.

When you hear a tornado warning, move quickly to one of LCC’s shelter locations. Shelter maps are posted on every floor of every building. In general, you are looking for a small, interior, windowless room on the lowest level. The moments after a tornado warning are not the time to familiarize yourself to the college’s shelter maps! Do it today.

If you are at home when a tornado warning is issued, go to a basement or another room without windows on the lowest level. A bathroom, hallway or closet can be good choices. Put as many walls as possible between you and the outdoors.

 

Stay safe after
You will not receive an “all clear” message following a tornado warning, since the county’s original message will include a time when the warning expires. If you do not receive an additional message that extends the length of the warning, you can resume normal activities once the listed time has passed.

After a tornado ends, stay clear of fallen power lines and do not enter damaged buildings. Keep phone lines clear, and instead use text messaging or social media to communicate with family and friends. If you are trapped, cover your mouth with a cloth to avoid breathing dust, and try to send a text, bang on a pipe or wall, or whistle to attract attention.

 

Thunderstorms and lightning
In addition to tornados, spring in Michigan is often accompanied by severe thunderstorms. A little maintenance now and some simple safety tips during a storm can help keep you and your property safe.

 

Prepare now
Long before a storm begins, you can help protect your home from damage. Remove dead trees or limbs that are in danger of falling on your home. Secure your outdoor furniture and other possessions. Prepare for power outages by keeping your phone charged, flashlights on-hand and pantry stocked with non-perishable food.

 

Survive during
When you receive a severe thunderstorm warning, or hear thunder in the distance, go indoors immediately. If boating or swimming, get out of the water and find shelter. If you have to, take shelter in a car, but do not touch anything metal. During a storm, do not use anything that plugs into the wall, and avoid using running water.

 

Stay safe after
If anyone is struck by lightning, call 911 immediately. Check for breathing and a heartbeat. It is OK to perform first aid; the victim will not carry an electrical charge. After a storm has passed, stay off flooded roadways. You should also watch for fallen power lines and trees, and report them immediately.

 

Learn more about family preparedness at ready.gov and LCC preparedness at lcc.edu/emd.