Tornadoes & Severe Weather

Tornadoes and severe weather overview

Severe weather refers to any dangerous meteorological phenomena with the potential to cause damage, serious social disruption, or loss of human life. High winds, hail, excessive precipitation, and wildfires are forms and effects of severe weather, as are thunderstorms, downbursts, lightning, and tornadoes. Regional and seasonal severe weather phenomena include blizzards, snowstorms, and ice storms.

Severe thunderstorm watch or warning

Severe thunderstorm watch

Severe thunderstorms are possible, continue normal activities and monitor the situation.

Severe thunderstorm warning

Severe thunderstorms are occurring.

Keep people indoors and away from windows until the severe storm passes.
If you are outside, seek shelter immediately.
Report injuries and damage on campus to the IU Police Department at 911(9-911 will also work from an on-campus phone). Notify your departmental administrative office.

Tornado watch or warning

Tornado watch

Tornados and severe thunderstorms are possible — continue normal activities but monitor the situation.

Tornado warning

An actual tornado has been identified in the area by spotters and/or radar.

If in the warning area, seek shelter immediately. Stay away from windows and exterior doors. Basements, interior hallways on the lower floors and small interior rooms on the lower floors offer the best shelter.
Know the location of your nearest shelter in advance.
Do not open windows; this can increase damage to the building.
Report injuries and damage on campus to the IU Police Department at 911 (9-911 will also work from an on-campus phone). Also, notify your local Campus Facilities Services or Physical Plant Offices of damage and your departmental administrative office.
If in a vehicle, get out and seek shelter in a sturdy building. If a building is not available, lying flat in a depression such as a ditch or a ravine offers some protection.

Thunder, lightning and outdoor warning sirens

Thunder and lightning

If you hear thunder less than 30 seconds after seeing a flash of lightning, seek safe shelter immediately.

Outdoor warning sirens

IUPUI/City of Indianapolis

Marion County operates outdoor warning sirens which are tested every Friday at 11 a.m. Upon hearing the siren for a weather emergency, follow the steps above for a tornado warning.

See Marion County's criteria for sounding the sirens

IU Bloomington/City of Bloomington

Monroe County outdoor warning sirens are tested the first Friday of the month at noon and 7 p.m., unless weather conditions are such that there may be a need for an actual warning.

See Monroe County's criteria for sounding the sirens

The more prepared you are to take care of yourself during an emergency, the more time emergency responders have to take care of other people.
Katherine Dorrity, Emergency Management Coordinator

Emergency campus contact information

IU Bloomington: IUPD from a non-campus phone: 812-855-4111
IUPD from a campus phone: 9-1-1
IUPD address: 1469 E. 17th Street
IUPUI: IUPD from a non-campus phone: 317-274-7911
IUPD from a campus phone: 9-1-1
IUPD non-emergency number: 317-274-2058
IUPD address: Ball Annex, 1232 Michigan Street, Indianapolis
IUPUC: Columbus Police from a non-campus phone: 9-1-1 or 812-379-1689
Columbus Police non-emergency number: 812-348-7388
Columbus Police from a campus phone: 9-911
IU East: IUPD from a non-campus phone: 765-973-8429
IUPD from a campus phone: 8429
IUPD non-emergency number: 765-973-8357
IUPD address: Whitewater Hall Room 131, 2325 Chester Blvd, Richmond
IU Kokomo: IUPD from a non-campus phone (M-F, 8am-10:30pm): 765-455-9363
IUPD non-emergency number: 765-455-9432
IUPD address: Kelly Center, Room 240
Kokomo Police from a non-campus phone: 9-1-1 or 765-459-5101
Kokomo Police from a campus phone: 9-911
IU Northwest: IUPD from a non-campus phone: 219-980-6501
IUPD from a campus phone: 6501
IUPD non-emergency number: 219-980-6501
IUPD address: 3400 Broadway, Gary
Gary Police non-emergency number: 219-881-1214
Gary Police emergency number: 911
IU South Bend: IUPD from a non-campus phone: 574-520-4239
IUPD from a campus phone: 4239
IUPD non-emergency number: 574-520-4239
IUPD address: 2002 Mishawaka Avenue, South Bend
South Bend City Police non-emergency number: 574-235-9201
IU Southeast: IUPD from a non-campus phone: 812-941-2400
IUPD from a campus phone: 2400
IUPD non-emergency number: 812-941-2400
IUPD address: 4201 Grant Line Rd., New Albany
New Albany Police non-emergency number: 812-948-5300
New Albany Police emergency number: 911