Listen up! (Or how to avoid tornado injuries at work)


by Linda Charles

The campus community had its first taste of tornado season 
earlier this month when the city of Ames sounded the 
emergency warning system.

While many on campus heard the sirens and sought shelter, 
others reported they could not hear the warning.

"The siren, which is connected to the city of Ames warning 
system, is an outdoor warning system and is not intended to 
reach people inside buildings," said Emery Sobottka, director 
of environmental health and safety. 

If you're inside, you need to rely on other warning methods, 
such as listening to the local radio station. You also could 
buy a weather radio, which continuously broadcasts National 
Weather Service warnings.

"People need to be aware of when conditions are right to 
spawn tornadoes," Sobottka said. Tornadoes usually come from 
cumulonimbus clouds, formed by moist, warm southern air 
meeting cool, dry air from the west.

A tornado watch means that conditions are right for a 
tornado, while a warning means that a tornado has been 
sighted.

If you're on campus and a tornado warning is sounded, take 
cover immediately, Sobottka said. If you're outside, go 
inside. If you're inside, go to an interior hallway or 
basement. Stay away from outside windows and doors.

All the permanent brick and stone buildings on central campus 
are of reinforced construction and offer good shelter, he 
said. 

Knowing where you'll go for shelter and acting quickly is 
your best protection in case of a tornado, Sobottka said. 
"The tornadoes that cause the most trouble give little 
advanced warning."

The university administration has appointed a committee to 
explore developing a tornado warning process for people 
inside campus buildings, Sobottka added.

_____
contact:  Linda Charles, (515) 294-3129
updated:  6-16-95