Washington University in St. Louis will test its emergency siren systems at 11 a.m. Monday, March 2, and again at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 3. The tests will take place unless there is the potential for severe weather that day or some other emergency is occurring at that time.
The March 3 drill at 1:30 p.m. will test the university’s emergency sirens as part of a Missouri statewide tornado drill. Washington University’s warning sirens are located on Brookings Hall, Seigle Hall and Nemerov House. St. Louis city and county sirens will be activated as well.
The March 2 test is part of the monthly siren test.
The tests are being held in conjunction with Missouri Severe Weather Awareness Week March 2-6.
The university also will provide information about the tests on the emergency website, emergency.wustl.edu.
University community members are strongly encouraged to update contact information via HRMS and WebSTAC/SIS. The university uses the information in HRMS and WebSTAC/SIS to contact individuals when necessary in an emergency.
During tornado warnings that impact the university, the Washington University community is notified via emails, through activating computer pop-ups and through in-building voice systems that are tied to WUSTLAlerts.
During Missouri Severe Weather Awareness Week, students, faculty and staff are encouraged to visit emergency.wustl.edu and click on “severe weather” under the “Where To Go” tab to learn more about preparing for severe weather and safe ways to react during and after a weather emergency.
During a tornado warning, the university community should follow these instructions:
- Evacuate to the basement, an inside hallway or an interior bathroom on the lowest level possible with a flashlight and radio.
- Avoid places with wide-span roofs.
- Once evacuated, get under heavy furniture (if available).
- Use arms to protect your head and neck.
“Having knowledge of what to do or where to go in case of severe weather when at home or at WUSTL is crucial for the safety of the Washington University community in a weather emergency,” said Mark Bagby, director of emergency management.
For more information about the drills, email Bagby at bagbym@wustl.edu.
For more information about Missouri Severe Weather Awareness Week, visit the National Weather Service website. For more information about severe weather safety, visit Missouri Storm Aware website.