The following information is offered as a guideline to aid you in determining what action you should take in the event of severe weather.

Tornado WATCH: This means conditions are such that storms capable of producing a tornado may develop.

Tornado WARNING: This means that either a tornado has been sighted or it is highly probable that one will develop. A warning will be signaled by the storm warning sirens.

The TORNADO TAKE COVER SIGNAL is a 3 to 5 minute up-and-down wailing sound on the storm sirens. This signal will be sounded on the large sirens located in the University Apartments area, on the main campus, and those installed throughout the City of Stillwater. If the sirens sound again, it is further warning--NOT an all clear signal.

Persons should seek IMMEDIATE shelter in a basement or lower floor, interior corridors, or interior rooms. If you are in an open-span area such as a gymnasium, auditorium, or warehouse, go to the wall farthest from windows or glass, crouch down against the wall, and protect your head with your arms. STAY AWAY from windows and exterior doors. If caught outside a building, lie flat on the ground, face down, preferably in a ditch or depression, but be alert for flash floods.

The OSU Police will open the following buildings as storm shelters for use by the general public in case of storm activity after regular hours. Use caution when traveling to these buildings.

• AG HALL (corner of Farm Road and Monroe): The south entrance at the east-end is wheelchair accessible.

• ENGINEERING SOUTH (east of the Edmon Low Library): The basement is wheelchair accessible, but only by elevator.

• STUDENT UNION (Use the Hotel or Parking Garage entrance after 5:00 p.m.): The center-level parking garage entrance is wheelchair accessible.

Persons with disabilities and persons who are mobility-impaired must also make plans. If a power outage occurs during severe weather, elevators may not work. Always go to an interior room or closet.

If local radio is available, keep tuned to KSPI-FM (93.7 MHz) or KOSU-FM (91.7 MHz) for storm details. The "ALL CLEAR" signal is given over FM radio and NOT the storm sirens. [Stillwater Emergency Operations Center also broadcasts storm warnings over local cable television.]

NOTE: The storm sirens are tested the first Tuesday of each month, weather permitting, at 11:30 a.m.