Extreme Weather
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Procedures and Guidelines
Extreme weather events can be severe or unseasonal weather. Knowing how to respond before they happen can help you respond quickly when unusual weather arrives.
Shelter-in-Place
When sheltering-in-place, you will be safest by moving to the interior of a building area that protects you from danger. Do not lock doors behind you as others may need to shelter-in-place as well.
- Remain calm.
- Immediately seek shelter within the closest sturdy building. Act quickly and do not wait until the danger is readily apparent.
- Once inside, stay away from windows and dangerous objects. Stay put until the danger passes. Do not personally check on a situation. The emergency alert system will be utilized to provide information, including when it is safe to emerge.
- Seek shelter in interior rooms, corridors, and hallways when possible.
- DO NOT use elevators.
- Await instructions from LU Alerts and emergency responders.
- DO NOT leave until an “All Clear” is received, unless there is an emergency that forces you to vacate the area.
- During a tornado or high wind situation, shelter at the lowest level possible, crouching near the floor and seeking additional shelter under a sturdy table or desk, covering your head with your hands.
- Always use common sense.
Severe Thunderstorm/Lightning
- Remain calm
- Monitor local weather conditions with an AM/FM or NOAA All-Hazards Weather Radio, the official www.weather.gov website, and/or cell phone app. Heed warnings and follow instructions accordingly.
- Recognize the signs of an oncoming thunder and lightning storm: towering clouds with a cauliflower shape, dark skies, and distant rumbles of thunder or flashes of lightning. If you can hear thunder, you are within lightning striking distance. Do not wait for lightning to strike nearby before taking cover. Lightning can strike as far as 10 miles from the area where it is raining, which is about the distance you can hear thunder.
- Remember: WHEN THUNDER ROARS, GO INDOORS! Lightning is extremely dangerous. At the first rumble of thunder, go to a large building or fully enclosed vehicle and wait 30 minutes after the last rumble of thunder before you go back outside.
- Shelter-in-place: during a severe thunderstorm warning, report to your building’s designated internal assembly area or seek indoor shelter in an interior room or hallway away from windows and doors.
- Avoid windows, corridors with windows, or large free-standing expanses (such as auditoriums and cafeterias). DO NOT use elevators during a severe thunderstorm warning!
- If you are caught outside with no shelter, lie flat in a ditch or depression, and cover your head.
- Watch for flying debris.
- DO NOT call LUPD/911 unless you are reporting a life-threatening situation.
- Seek updated information and further instructions:
- Online, visit LUPD home page
- By calling LU Emergency Communications at (434) 592-7641.
- By watching or listening to local media outlets.
Tornado Warning
- Remain calm
- Monitor local weather conditions with an AM/FM or NOAA All-Hazards Weather Radio, the official www.weather.gov website, and/or cell phone app. Heed warnings and follow instructions accordingly
- If you receive an alert or otherwise hear about a tornado in your area, DO NOT wait until you see it to take cover. Instructions to shelter-in-place would be issued through the Alerts system along with specific precautions to take during the emergency
- Shelter-in-place: during a tornado warning, report to your building’s designated internal assembly area or seek indoor shelter in the lowest level possible, in an interior room or hallway away from windows and crouch near the floor or under heavy, well-supported objects
- Cover your head. Avoid windows, corridors with windows, or large free-standing expanses (such as auditoriums and cafeterias). DO NOT use elevators during a tornado warning!
- If you are caught outside with no shelter, lie flat in a ditch or depression, and cover your head
- Watch for flying debris
- DO NOT call LUPD/911 unless you are reporting a life-threatening situation.
- Seek updated information and further instructions:
- Online, visit LUPD home page
- By calling LU Emergency Communications at (434) 592-7641
- By watching or listening to local media outlets
Winter Storm/Extreme Cold
- Monitor local weather conditions with an AM/FM or NOAA All-Hazards Weather Radio, the official www.weather.gov website, and/or cell phone app. Heed warnings and follow instructions accordingly.
- Stay indoors during the storm or cold weather.
- If you must be outside, dress in layers.
- Walk carefully on snowy, icy walkways.
- Avoid overexertion when shoveling snow.
- Keep dry. Change wet clothing frequently to prevent a loss of body heat.
- Drive only if it is absolutely necessary. If you must drive: travel during the day; don’t travel alone; keep others informed of your schedule; stay on main roads and avoid shortcuts.
- Monitor persons for frostbite or hypothermia. If signs/symptoms of either present (loss of feeling or white/pale appearance in extremities, uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness, apparent exhaustion) seek medical attention right away.
- DO NOT call LUPD/911 unless you are reporting a life-threatening situation.
- Seek updated information and further instructions:
- Online, visit LUPD home page at liberty.edu/lupd.
- By calling LU Emergency Communications at (434) 592-7641.
- By watching or listening to local media outlets.
Hurricane, Tropical Storm, and Nor’easter
- Remain calm.
- Monitor local weather conditions with an AM/FM or NOAA All-Hazards Weather Radio, the official www.weather.gov website, and/or cell phone app. Heed warnings and follow instructions accordingly.
- Follow the instructions of university leadership and local or state emergency management personnel regarding evacuation.
- Follow the instructions of university leadership regarding the continuity of university operations.
- If evacuating, shut down computers and electrical equipment. Secure workspaces and outdoor items, if applicable.
- Review/update equipment inventories in case of loss or damage during the storm.
- Review/update personnel contact information.
- For locations subject to flooding, elevate and/or cover items with plastic sheeting to mitigate damage. As appropriate, relocate vehicles to higher ground.
- Back up data as appropriate.
- Review departmental continuity plans and develop an appropriate strategy to either continue critical operations during the event and/or resume normal operations after the storm has passed.
- Review personal and family preparedness and evacuation plans, and secure sufficient provisions to sustain family members for at least three days (preferably up to seven days).
- DO NOT call LUPD or 911 unless you are reporting a life-threatening situation.
- Seek updated information and further instructions:
- Online, visit LUPD home page at liberty.edu/lupd.
- By calling LU Emergency Communications at (434) 592-7641.
- By watching or listening to local media outlets.
Flood
- Listen to local TV or radio for weather watches and warnings.
- Flood Watch or Flash Flood Watch: Issued when conditions are favorable for flooding or flash flooding. It does not mean that flooding or flash flooding will occur but that it is possible.
- Flood Warning: Issued when flooding is imminent or occurring
- Flash Flood Warning: Issued when flash flooding is imminent or occurring.
- Be ready to evacuate. Don’t return to your home, apartment, or residence hall until officials say it is safe. Use common sense and caution.
- Do not walk through moving water. Six inches of water can knock a person off of their feet.
- Remember that after a flood, it could be hours or days before emergency personnel are able to reach you.
Know the Road Conditions Before you Leave:
- Check the website, 511 Virginia, or call 511 for real-time traffic information and road conditions.
- Do not drive into flooded areas. Many cars will start to float in as little as 1 foot of water. If your vehicle becomes surrounded by rising water, get out quickly and move to higher ground.
- Flood water can cut off access to roads. Be ready to stay where you are until floodwaters recede.
- The Virginia Department of Transportation offers the latest road reports and closures during a major flooding event.