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Weather Emergencies

Summer Storms

  1. A hurricane forecast means a hurricane (>74 MPH sustained wind speed) exists and may strike the area within 72 hours.
  2. A hurricane watch means a hurricane may strike the area within 24-36 hours.
  3. A hurricane warning means that a hurricane is expected within 24 hours or less.
  4. A tropical storm watch means that a tropical storm (34 – 73 MPH sustained wind speed) exists and may strike the area within 36 hours or less.
  5. At tropical storm warning means that a tropical storm may strike the area within 24 hours or less.

Tornados and Thunderstorms

  1. A tornado watch means that tornadoes could develop in the designated area;
  2. A tornado warning means that a tornado has actually been sighted in the area or is indicated by radar.
  3. A severe thunderstorm watch indicates the possibility of thunderstorms, frequent lightning and/or damaging winds, hail, and heavy rain.
  4. A severe thunderstorm warning means that a severe thunderstorm has actually been sighted in the area or is indicated by radar.

Everyone should pay attention to weather conditions, listen to the radio and television for weather alert information, and seek shelter before severe weather arrives.

  1. Occasionally, tornadoes develop so rapidly that advance warning is not possible.
  2. If warnings are issued, or if threatening weather approaches, seek shelter immediately.
  3. If you are outdoors:
    1. Seek inside shelter immediately;
    2. Do not try to outrun tornadoes in vehicles, but leave them and seek indoor shelter or low spots off the side of roads;
  4. Once you get to, or if you are already in, buildings:
    1. Move to safer areas, such as basements;
    2. If underground shelters are not available, move to interior rooms or hallways on the lowest floors and get under sturdy pieces of furniture; and
    3. Stay away from windows.

Winter Storms

  1. A winter storm warning means severe winter weather is imminent or very likely within 12 hours.
  2. A winter storm watch means at least four inches of snow in 12 hours, or six inches in 24 hours, or significant ice accumulations are possible within 24-48 hours.
  3. A winter weather advisory means cold, ice, and snow are expected to cause significant inconvenience and may be hazardous, but probably not life threatening.

The University Police will communicate information about weather emergencies through the university’s email system as appropriate and feasible. Additional notification systems are being evaluated for future implementation.

University decisions to cancel or otherwise modify class and work schedules because of emergency weather conditions will be announced through outlets that include, but not limited to:

  1. Morgan State domain email
  2. Morgan State University’s web page
  3. Baltimore area radio and TV stations: WEAA Radio (88.9 FM) WBAL Radio 11 (1090 AM/97.9 FM), CAO/WXYV (600 AM/103 FM), WLIF (101.9 FM), WBAL-TV (11), WJZ-TV (13) and WMAR-TV (2);
  4. Washington area radio and TV stations: WTOP (1500 AM/ 107.7 FM), WMZQ (98.7 FM) and WRC-TV (4); and
  5. The Associated Press (AP).

Additional Resource