Severe Weather Preparedness

Upon notification of a Severe Weather Warning and/or the receipt of an MUPAWS message advising of potential severe weather conditions, Residential Coordinators will ensure that all temporary shelter areas located within Residence Halls are unlocked and ready for occupation.

The National Weather Service issues a severe weather warning when a tornado or other potentially dangerous weather has been sighted or detected on radar in the local area. The University’s Public Alert Warning System (MUPAWS) will be activated when a warning of severe weather that may reach the Methodist University campus is received.

The MUPAWS notification system will send an alert regarding the severe weather. These alerts may be disseminated by any combination of siren tones, text to voice over speaker system, beacon alerts, smart phone notification, digital signage, break through university TV channels and computer display/sound.

Take the following actions if a tornado or other potentially dangerous weather is reported to be approaching the campus:

Go to the basement or interior hallway of your building’s lowest floor, if time permits. Otherwise, get into the safest area of your classroom, residence hall, office or office building – near the inside wall and as far as possible from doors and windows.
Avoid auditoriums, gymnasiums, and other structures with wide, free-span roofs.
Take shelter underneath a desk or any other heavy furniture that is available.
Assume a “curled” seated position to better protect your head and eyes.

Shelter-In-Place Information for Residence Halls

Weaver Hall

Move to the lowest level (first floor) of the building and shelter in interior bathrooms.
If there isn’t time to move to the lowest level, go into a bathroom, interior hallway or other room and stay as far away as possible from windows and doors.
Assume a curled seated position, tuck your head to your chest, and use your arms to shelter your head from any debris or objects that might shift.
Stay put until notified by University or city authorities that it is safe to come out.

Garber Hall

Move to the lowest level (first floor) of the building and shelter in interior bathrooms.
If there isn’t time to move to the lowest level, go into a bathroom, interior hallway or other room and stay as far away as possible from windows and doors.
Assume a curled seated position, tuck your head to your chest, and use your arms to shelter your head from any debris or objects that might shift.
Stay put until notified by University or city authorities that it is safe to come out.

Sanford Hall

Move to the lowest level of the building (basement).
If there isn’t time to move to the basement, move to an interior hallway or other room and stay as far as possible from windows and doors.
Assume a curled seated position, tuck your head to your chest, and use your arms to shelter your head from any debris or objects that might shift.
Stay put until notified by University or city authorities that it is safe to come out.

Cumberland Hall

Move to the lowest level of the building (basement).
If there isn’t time to move to the basement, move into the interior hallway or other room and stay as far as possible from windows and doors.
Assume a curled seated position, tuck your head to your chest, and use your arms to shelter your head from any debris or objects that might shift.
Stay put until notified by University or city authorities that it is safe to come out.

Pearce Hall

Move to the lowest level of the building (1st Floor Interior Hall).
If there isn’t time to move to the lowest level, go into a suite bathroom, interior hallway, or other room and stay as far as possible from windows and doors.
Assume a curled seated position, tuck your head to your chest, and use your arms to shelter your head from any debris or objects that might shift.
Stay put until notified by University or city authorities that it is safe to come out.

West Hall

Move to the lowest level of the building (1st Floor Interior Hall).
If there isn’t time to move to the lowest level, go into a suite bathroom, interior hallway, or other room and stay as far as possible from windows and doors.
Assume a curled seated position, tuck your head to your chest, and use your arms to shelter your head from any debris or objects that might shift.
Stay put until notified by University or city authorities that it is safe to come out.

Cape Fear Commons Apartments

Move to the lowest level of suites in the building if there is time. Shelter in place inside a bathroom, interior suite hallway, or other room and stay as far as possible from windows and doors.
Assume a curled seated position, tuck your head to your chest, and use your arms to shelter your head from any debris or objects that might shift.
Stay put until notified by University or city authorities that it is safe to come out.

Village Houses & North Hall

Move to the lowest level of the building (1st Floor Interior Hallway near the laundry room).
If there isn’t time to move to the lowest level, go into a bathroom, interior hallway, or other room and stay as far as possible from windows and doors.
Assume a curled seated position, tuck your head to your chest, and use your arms to shelter your head from any debris or objects that might shift.
Stay put until notified by University or city authorities that it is safe to come out.

McLean Residential Complex

Move to the lowest level of suites in the building if there is time. Shelter in place inside a bathroom, interior suite hallway, or other room and stay as far as possible from windows and doors.
Assume a curled seated position, tuck your head to your chest, and use your arms to shelter your head from any debris or objects that might shift.
Stay put until notified by University or city authorities that it is safe to come out.

Shelter-In-Place Information for Administrative & Academic Buildings

Horner Administration Building

If time permits, move to an inner office, restroom, hallway, etc. that is away from windows and doors.
Assist any visitors/students not familiar with the building in moving to a safer location.
Stay put until University or city authorities inform you that it is safe to come out.
Seek shelter under a desk or under other furniture and assume a curled position using your arms to cover your head from possible falling debris.

Trustees Classroom Building

If time permits, move to the lowest level of the building to an inner office, restroom, hallway, etc. that is away from windows and doors.
Seek shelter under a desk or under other furniture and assume a curled position using your arms to cover your head from possible falling debris.
Assist any visitors/students not familiar with the building in moving to a safer location.
Stay put until University or city authorities inform you that it is safe to come out.

Reeves Fine Arts Complex/Huff Concert Hall/Matthews Ministry Center

Evacuate areas with free wide-spanning ceilings such as the Concert Hall or Matthews Chapel. When feasible, announcements should be made directing occupants to shelter downstairs.
Assist any visitors/students not familiar with the building in moving to a safer location.
If time permits, move to the lowest level of the building to an inner office, downstairs restroom, hallway, etc. that is away from windows and doors.
If possible, seek shelter under a desk or under other furniture and assume a curled position using your arms to cover your head from possible falling debris.
Stay put until University or city authorities inform you that it is safe to come out.

Berns Student Center

If time permits, move to the lowest level of the building to an inner office, restroom, hallway, etc. that is away from windows and doors.
Seek shelter under a desk or under other furniture and assume a curled position using your arms to cover your head from possible falling debris.
Assist any visitors/students not familiar with the building in moving to a safer location.
Stay out of areas with free wide-spanning ceilings.
Stay put until University or city authorities inform you that it is safe to come out.

Davis Memorial Library

Evacuate areas with free wide-spanning ceilings. (Older Section of Davis Library)
If time permits, move to the lowest level of the Library Annex to an inner office, restroom, hallway, etc. that is away from windows and doors.
Assist any visitors/students not familiar with the building in moving to a safer location.
Seek shelter under a desk or under other furniture and assume a curled position using your arms to cover your head from possible falling debris.
Stay put until University or city authorities inform you that it is safe to come out.

Hendricks Science Complex

If time permits, move to the lowest level of the building to an inner office, restroom, hallway, etc. that is away from windows and doors.
Seek shelter under a desk or under other furniture and assume a curled position using your arms to cover your head from possible falling debris.
Assist any visitors/students not familiar with the building in moving to a safer location.
Evacuate areas with free wide-spanning ceilings.
Stay put until University or city authorities inform you that it is safe to come out.

Stout Hall

If time permits, move to an inner office, restroom, hallway, etc. that is away from windows and doors.
Seek shelter under a desk or under other furniture and assume a curled position using your arms to cover your head from possible falling debris.
Assist any visitors/students not familiar with the building in moving to a safer location.
Stay put until University or city authorities inform you that it is safe to come out.

Clark Hall

If time permits, move to an inner office, restroom, hallway, etc. that is away from windows and doors.
Seek shelter under a desk or under other furniture and assume a curled position using your arms to cover your head from possible falling debris.
Assist any visitors/students not familiar with the building in moving to a safer location.
Evacuate areas with free wide-spanning ceilings.
Stay put until University or city authorities inform you that it is safe to come out.

Allison Hall

If time permits, move to an inner office, restroom, hallway, etc. that is away from windows and doors.
Seek shelter under a desk or under other furniture and assume a curled position using your arms (jacket) to cover your head from possible falling debris.
Evacuate areas with free wide-spanning ceilings.
Assist any visitors/students not familiar with the building in moving to a safer location.
Stay put until University or city authorities inform you that it is safe to come out.

Physician Assistant Program Complex

If time permits, move to the lowest level of the building to an inner office, restroom, hallway, etc. that is away from windows and doors.
Seek shelter under a desk or under other furniture and assume a curled position using your arms to cover your head from possible falling debris.
Evacuate areas with free wide-spanning ceilings.
Assist any visitors/students not familiar with the building in moving to a safer location.
Stay put until University or city authorities inform you that it is safe to come out.

McLean Health Sciences Building

If time permits, move to the lowest level of the building to an inner office, restroom, hallway, etc. that is away from windows and doors.
Seek shelter under a desk or under other furniture and assume a curled position using your arms to cover your head from possible falling debris.
Assist any visitors/students not familiar with the building in moving to a safer location.
Evacuate areas with free wide-spanning ceilings.
Stay put until University or city authorities inform you that it is safe to come out.

Clayton Tennis Center

If time permits, move to the lowest level of the building to an inner office, restroom, hallway, etc. that is away from windows and doors.
Seek shelter under a desk or under other furniture and assume a curled position using your arms to cover your head from possible falling debris.
Assist any visitors/students not familiar with the building in moving to a safer location.
Evacuate areas with free wide-spanning ceilings.
Stay put until University or city authorities inform you that it is safe to come out.

Amrstrong Baseball Fieldhouse

If time permits, move to the lowest level of the building to an inner office, restroom, hallway, etc. that is away from windows and doors.
Seek shelter under a desk or under other furniture and assume a curled position using your arms to cover your head from possible falling debris.
Assist any visitors/students not familiar with the building in moving to a safer location.
Evacuate areas with free wide-spanning ceilings such.
Stay put until University or city authorities inform you that it is safe to come out.

Hensdale Chapel

If time permits, move to an inner room or hallway away from windows and doors.
Seek shelter under a desk or under other furniture and assume a curled position using your arms to cover your head from possible falling debris.
Assist any visitors/students not familiar with the building in moving to a safer location.
Stay out of areas with free wide-spanning ceilings.
Stay put until University or city authorities inform you that it is safe to come out.

Player Golf Learning Center/Golf Maintenance

If time permits, move to the lowest level of the building to an inner office, restroom, hallway, etc. that is away from windows and doors.
Seek shelter under a desk or under other furniture and assume a curled position using your arms to cover your head from possible falling debris.
Assist any visitors/students not familiar with the building in moving to a safer location.
Evacuate areas with free wide-spanning ceilings.
Stay put until University or city authorities inform you that it is safe to come out.

Chris’s House

If time permits, move to the lowest level of the building to an inner office, restroom, hallway, etc. that is away from windows and doors.
Seek shelter under a desk or under other furniture and assume a curled position using your arms to cover your head from possible falling debris.
Assist any visitors/students not familiar with the building in moving to a safer location.
Stay put until University or city authorities inform you that it is safe to come out.

Cape Fear Commons Community Building

If time permits, move to an inner office, restroom, hallway, etc. that is away from windows and doors.
Seek shelter under a desk or under other furniture and assume a curled position using your arms to cover your head from possible falling debris.
Assist any visitors/students not familiar with the building in moving to a safer location.
Stay out of areas with free wide-spanning ceilings.
Stay put until University or city authorities inform you that it is safe to come out.

Riddle Center

If time permits, move to the lowest level of the building to an inner office, restroom, hallway, etc. that is away from windows and doors.
Seek shelter under a desk or under other furniture and assume a curled position using your arms to cover your head from possible falling debris.
Assist any visitors/students not familiar with the building in moving to a safer location.
Evacuate areas with free wide-spanning ceilings.
Stay put until University or city authorities inform you that it is safe to come out.

Duggins Soccer Stadium Field House

If time permits, move to the lowest level of the building to an inner office, restroom, hallway, etc. that is away from windows and doors.
Seek shelter under a desk or under other furniture and assume a curled position using your arms to cover your head from possible falling debris.
Assist any visitors/students not familiar with the building in moving to a safer location.
Stay put until University or city authorities inform you that it is safe to come out.

Mallett-Rogers House

If time permits, move to the lowest level of the building to an inner office, restroom, hallway, etc. that is away from windows and doors.
Seek shelter under a desk or under other furniture and assume a curled position using your arms to cover your head from possible falling debris.
Assist any visitors/students not familiar with the building in moving to a safer location.
Stay put until University or city authorities inform you that it is safe to come out.

Campus Services Building (Computer Services, Monarch Press, Public Safety)

Move to a room in the building that does not have an exterior wall and is away from exterior windows and doors.
Avoid the building’s central lobby and restrooms.
Seek shelter under a desk or under other furniture and assume a curled position using your arms to cover your head from possible falling debris.
Assist any visitors/students not familiar with the building in moving to a safer location.
Stay put until University or city authorities inform you that it is safe to come out.

Maintenance Offices & Football Field House

If time permits, move to the lowest level of the building to an inner office, restroom, locker room, hallway, etc. that is away from windows and doors.
Assist any visitors/students not familiar with the building in moving to a safer location.
Seek shelter under a desk or under other furniture and assume a curled position using your arms to cover your head from possible falling debris.
Stay put until University or city authorities inform you that it is safe to come out.

Bethune Center for Visual Arts

If time permits, move to an inner office, restroom, hallway, etc. that is away from windows and doors.
Seek shelter under a desk or under other furniture and assume a curled position using your arms to cover your head from possible falling debris.
Assist any visitors/students not familiar with the building in moving to a safer location.
Stay put until University or city authorities inform you that it is safe to come out.

Chaffin Nursing Building

If time permits, move to an inner office, restroom, hallway, etc. that is away from windows and doors.
Seek shelter under a desk or under other furniture and assume a curled position using your arms to cover your head from possible falling debris.
Assist any visitors/students not familiar with the building in moving to a safer location.
Stay put until University or city authorities inform you that it is safe to come out.

Nimocks Fitness Center

If time permits, move to an inner restroom, or the store room behind the main desk.
Avoid the front lobby and indoor basketball courts (open-span roof).
Seek shelter under a desk or under other furniture and assume a curled position using your arms to cover your head from possible falling debris.
Assist any visitors/students not familiar with the building in moving to a safer location.
Stay put until University or city authorities inform you that it is safe to come out.