Severe Weather Safety

Sirens

Sirens only will sound for locations in the path of severe weather based on National Weather Service data available at the time. Instead of issuing warnings for entire counties, warnings will be issued based on the paths of storms. The Eau Claire County Siren System is tested at 11 a.m. on the first Monday of the month throughout the year.

Watches

A watch is an indication of where and when weather conditions may present severe weather or tornadoes. The National Weather Service will issue a bulletin to local authorities as well as local television and radio stations.

• Use available means to obtain more emergency or severe weather information (i.e. radio, television, weather alert radio, Internet services)
• Communicate information to others
• Know where emergency/severe weather shelters are located in your building, if needed

Warnings

When severe weather or tornadoes are approaching Eau Claire County, the National Weather Service will notify local authorities and radio and television stations. The Eau Claire County Weather Siren System then will be activated.

• All persons immediately should seek shelter in the nearest designated severe weather or emergency shelter and assist in protecting the safety of others who may need assistance or direction
• Go to the basement or an interior room of the nearest building if the location of an emergency is unknown
• Avoid rooms with large roofs (i.e. auditoriums, gymnasiums or similar large rooms)
• Stay away from all windows and exterior doors

If you are caught outdoors

• Stay away from anything taller than you or items with metal
• Stay away from water
• Take shelter somewhere that doesn't stand above the landscape - not under large trees or in isolated sheds
• If there is no shelter, find a low spot or ditch. Kneel, put your hands on your knees and bend forward. Don't lie flat on the ground

Eau Claire Lower Campus

Eau Claire Upper Campus

Barron County Campus