University of Central Florida Severe Weather Plan

Transcription

1 2015 University of Central Florida Severe Weather Plan UCF Office of Emergency Management Current as of: March 2015

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3 TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION PURPOSE SCOPE STORMREADY UNIVERSITY Chapter 2: SEVERE WEATHER ALERTS SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING TORNADO WATCH TORNADO WARNING TROPICAL STORM WATCH TROPICAL STORM WARNING HURRICANE WATCH HURRICANE WARNING EXTREME WIND WARNING Chapter 3: THUNDERSTORMS GENERAL THUNDERSTORM INFORMATION LIGHTNING FLOODING Chapter 4: TORNADOES GENERAL TORNADO INFORMATION Chapter 5: TROPICAL WEATHER...18 Page 3

4 5.1. GENERAL TROPICAL WEATHER INFORMATION OTHER TROPICAL WEATHER PRECAUTIONS Chapter 6: HIGH WINDS GENERAL HIGH WIND INFORMATION Chapter 7: EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION CAMPUS NOTIFICATION EXTERNAL NOTIFICATION Chapter 8: MINIMUM ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING TORNADO WATCH TORNADO WARNING Chapter 9: SEVERE WEATHER KIT CONTENTS Chapter 10: TRAINING AND PROGRAMS SEVERE WEATHER TRAINING SEVERE WEATHER PROGRAMS Chapter 11: ADDITIONAL RESOURCES RADIO TELEVISION INTERNET OTHER RESOURCES Page 4

5 Appendix A: USER GUIDE FOR TROPICAL WEATHER REPORTS...29 Page 5

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7 This plan is maintained by the University of Central Florida Office of Emergency Management. Any concerns or questions should be forwarded to, specifically: Emergency Plans and Programs Coordinator Office of Emergency Management Phone: Department Responsible for this Plan: Office of Emergency Management Supersedes: May 2013 Edition Pages: 30 Distribution: Office of Emergency Management UCF Police General Distribution Notes: This plan is included in the Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP), General Edition. This plan has been reviewed by the National Weather Service, Melbourne Office. Page 7

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9 CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION 1.1. Purpose The purpose of this Severe Weather Plan is to provide a course of action to be used during a severe weather event to minimize the potential for injury and loss of life that can result during severe weather For further information on severe weather and severe weather preparedness, please refer to the Office of Emergency Management web site: Scope This plan is designed to address response to severe weather situations during regular office hours (8:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday). Outside of regular office hours, the University Police Department and Facilities Operations will be responsible for assessing the situation, briefing the Assistant Vice President for Facilities and Safety (Safety and Security) and the Associate Vice President and Chief of Police (Administration and Finance), and recommending appropriate actions Although the plan is primarily focused on the University of Central Florida s (UCF) main campus, it aims to include the regional campus locations as well The information contained in this plan has been obtained from guidelines from the National Weather Service (NWS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) It is recommended that UCF departments develop their own emergency severe weather plans, detailing protective actions to be taken to prepare their offices and personnel for severe weather events. For additional information on developing department plans, please contact the UCF Office of Emergency Management (OEM). Page 9

10 1.3. StormReady University The University of Central Florida has recently been awarded the recognition of becoming a StormReady University by the National Weather Service. The StormReady program helps communities, universities and other organizations safeguard its people and property from severe weather. It is recognized that StormReady Universities are better prepared to save lives through better planning, education, and awareness. UCF partnered with the National Weather Service, Melbourne office, to work on fulfilling the six guidelines required to become a StormReady University To be recognized as StormReady, a university must: Establish a 24-hour warning point and emergency operations center; Have at least four redundant systems in place to receive severe weather warnings and forecasts at both the 24-hour warning point and the emergency operation center; Create a system that monitors local weather conditions and information on an ongoing basis; Have at least four redundant systems in place to notify the university community of severe weather warnings; Promote the importance of community preparedness through campus weather seminars and training on an annual basis; and Develop a formal hazardous weather plan for the entire campus and provide Storm Spotter training classes, as well as hold emergency exercises The University submitted a preliminary application to the National Weather Service on April 21, On May 18, 2010, a representative from the Melbourne office conducted an on-site evaluation as part of the application process. UCF was informed that it was approved for StormReady University designation on June 4, UCF s StormReady designation is applicable for three years; UCF s designation was renewed on May 28 th, 2013 and will remain valid until Page 10

11 CHAPTER 2: SEVERE WEATHER ALERTS 2.1 Severe Thunderstorm Watch A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is issued by the National Weather Service when conditions are favorable for the development of severe thunderstorms in, and close to, the watch area A severe thunderstorm, by definition, is a thunderstorm that produces 1 hail or larger in diameter and/or winds equal to or in excess of 58 mph. The length of the watch can vary depending on the weather situation. Severe Thunderstorm Watches are usually issued for a period of 4 to 8 hours They are normally issued well in advance of the actual occurrence of severe weather. During the watch, people should review severe thunderstorm safety rules and be prepared to move to a place of safety if threatening weather approaches. 2.2 Severe Thunderstorm Warning A Severe Thunderstorm Warning is issued when either a severe thunderstorm is indicated by the WSR-88D radar or a spotter reports a thunderstorm producing hail 1 or larger in diameter and/or winds equal to or in excess of 58 mph; therefore, people in the affected area should seek safe shelter immediately. Severe thunderstorms can produce tornadoes with little or no advanced warning Lightning frequency is not criteria for issuing a Severe Thunderstorm Warning, but it is the most imminent and dangerous threat on campus from a thunderstorm Severe Thunderstorm Warnings are usually issued for a period of one hour or less. They can be issued without a Severe Thunderstorm Watch being already in effect. 2.3 Tornado Watch A Tornado Watch is issued by the National Weather Service when conditions are favorable for the development of tornadoes in and close to the watch area. Their length can vary depending on the weather situation. They are usually issued for a period of 4 to 8 hours Tornado Watches normally are issued well in advance of the actual occurrence of severe weather. During the watch, people should review tornado safety rules and be prepared to move a place of safety if threatening weather approaches. Page 11

12 2.4 Tornado Warning A Tornado Warning is issued when a tornado is indicated by the WSR-88D radar or sighted by spotters; therefore, people in the affected area should seek safe shelter immediately Tornado Warnings can be issued without a Tornado Watch being already in effect. They are usually issued for a period of around minutes. 2.5 Tropical Storm Watch A Tropical Storm Watch is an announcement that a tropical storm poses, or tropical storm conditions pose, a threat to coastal areas generally within 48 hours A Tropical Storm Watch should normally not be issued if the system is forecasted to attain hurricane strength. 2.6 Tropical Storm Warning A Tropical Storm Warning is for sustained surface winds, associated with a tropical cyclone, within the range of 34 to 63 knots (39 to 73 mph), expected within 36 hours. 2.7 Hurricane Watch A Hurricane Watch is an announcement of specific areas, to which a hurricane or an incipient hurricane condition poses a possible threat, generally within 48 hours. 2.8 Hurricane Warning A Hurricane Warning means that sustained winds of 64 knots (74 mph or 119 kph) or higher associated with a hurricane are expected in 36 hours or less A Hurricane Warning can remain in effect when dangerously high water, or a combination of dangerously high water and exceptionally high waves, continues, even though winds may be less than hurricane force. 2.9 Extreme Wind Warning An Extreme Wind Warning means that there are hurricane winds (category 3 or higher) expected in one hour or less An Extreme Wind Warning is issued by the NWS in Melbourne when a tropical cyclone is a category 3 or greater on the Saffir Simpson hurricane scale, and sustained tropical cyclone surface winds of 100 knots (115 mph) or greater are occurring, or are expected to occur, Page 12

13 within one hour. This warning should be treated the same as a tornado warning, and preparations should be immediately implemented for life-threatening, destructive winds. Page 13

14 CHAPTER 3: THUNDERSTORMS 3.1. General Thunderstorm Information Thunderstorms may develop at any time of the year. Although thunderstorms occur most frequently during the summer months, the more violent storms occur in the winter and early spring. The Orlando area experiences thunderstorms approximately 90 days out of every year Thunderstorms can be single cell, multicell cluster, multicell line, and super cell. Supercells usually form severe thunderstorms. Thunderstorms typically consist of very high winds, rain, lightning, and in many cases, hail. Typically, the larger the hail is, the stronger the thunderstorm is. Hail 1 in diameter or more with winds in excess of 58 mph indicate a severe thunderstorm where tornadoes are also possible Every year, Central Florida experiences approximately 90 days with thunderstorms. Plan in advance All persons are advised to monitor the weather daily during the summer thunderstorm season and to plan their work around any threatening weather conditions. Severe weather information can be obtained via local radio stations or the Internet. The University has placed NOAA weather radios throughout the campus to help with monitoring local severe weather All supervisors should be aware of their responsibility to advise any employees or students vulnerable to thunderstorms. Vulnerability to thunderstorms includes, but is not limited to, persons outside and persons in portable trailers. Such persons should be warned to take cover when storms approach Instructors and supervisors in portable trailers or modular facilities should be aware such facilities might not be safe in high winds. All persons in portables should learn which permanent (brick or block) facilities are nearest to their portable, and should plan an escape route to the permanent facility Lightning The most dangerous aspect of a thunderstorm is lightning. The best protection from lightning is to seek shelter in a nearby building Cloud-to-ground lightning density in this area is approximately 28 strikes per square mile per year, meaning lightning could possibly hit around the UCF main campus approximately 50 times each year When thunderstorms threaten, seek shelter in a fully enclosed building or car. Avoid water, metal objects, and open spaces. Note that golf carts, trees, tents and boats are unsafe places. Page 14

15 If caught outdoors away from enclosed shelter, avoid contact with other people; remove all metal objects from your person, and crouch down on the balls of your feet with hands over your ears Avoid water, open windows and electrical appliances. This includes staying off the telephone UCF uses a Thor Guard lightning detection system The Recreation and Wellness Center (RWC) has installed a lightning prediction system called Thor Guard. When lightning is predicted, the system activates a series of horns and strobe lights to warn those working outside to seek shelter immediately The system will be used for the RWC aquatic facilities (leisure pools), tennis courts, volleyball courts, recreational fields, and the Challenge Course. Staff members have been trained to know when to instruct users to evacuate the areas and when the areas are safe The Thor Guard Lightning system is also used by UCF Athletics to detect lightning during UCF football games at the Bright House Networks Stadium One long horn blast along with a continuous flashing strobe light will activate when the system predicts lightning Three, five-second horn blasts are activated when the areas are safe The system is active seven days a week from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m Flooding Flooding can occur in low areas and in areas where storm drains are blocked Due to its location, the main UCF campus is not likely to flood. However, regional campuses may experience flood conditions Pooling of water poses a significant risk, not as much from swift moving water, but more from one s inability to judge water depth. Water only inches deep can be next to water that is several feet deep During flooding conditions, colonies of fire ants are capable of floating in clusters or "rafts," posing a threat to anything encountering them. Below is a list of preparedness measures to perform prior to, during, and after a potential flooding event Before the flood: Page 15

16 Have a NOAA weather radio, with tone alert, on hand, and during heavy rains, monitor it for flood warnings, watches or statements. Stay tuned to radio or television stations Keep materials on hand like sandbags, plywood, plastic sheeting, a supply of plastic garbage bags, and lumber During the flood: Avoid driving into water of unknown depth, especially in periods of low visibility. Moving water can quickly sweep your vehicle away. Standing water deep enough to cover wheels can cause cars to float If asked by local officials, quickly evacuate to avoid being cut off by flood water. Turn off all utilities at the main switch if time permits If time permits, move furnishings to safe ground After the flood: Test drinking water for potability Do not walk through flooded areas. Hidden sharp objects and open storm drains are safety hazards Do not handle live electrical equipment in wet areas; electrical equipment should be checked and dried before returning it to service Use flashlights, not lanterns or torches, to examine buildings; flammables may be inside Report broken utility lines to appropriate authorities Open windows and doors to let the air circulate. This will help remove foul odors and protect you from escaping gas. It will also help dry out the house. Take pictures of the damage. Page 16

17 CHAPTER 4: TORNADOES 4.1. General Tornado Information A tornado is a violently rotating column of air in contact with the ground with speeds of approximately mph. It is only visible due to water droplets mixed with dust and debris. Doppler radar will not "see" tornadoes. The radar only detects precipitation, and light rain in the center of heavy rain indicates tornado potential. Contrary to popular belief, tornadoes do not leave the ground; only the intensity changes, causing them to appear to "jump." Tornadoes can be categorized into three groups based on the "Enhanced Fujita" scale Weak (EF0 EF1)- 80% of all tornadoes, mph winds, path 3 miles long, lasting 1-10 minutes. Cause less than 5% of all tornado-related deaths Strong (EF2 - EF3)- 19% of all tornadoes, mph winds, path less than 5 miles, lasting minutes. Cause 30% of all tornado-related deaths Violent (EF4 EF5)- 1% of all tornadoes, winds greater than 166 mph, can have a 50 mile path, lasting up to 60 minutes. Cause 70% of all tornado-related deaths The most common direction of a tornado path is from the southwest to the northeast, but tornadoes can come from any direction. Tornadoes are most likely to occur during the afternoon and evening. The most violent storms occur in March, April, May, November and December. The peak hours are from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m A Tornado Warning means a tornado has been detected either by sight or by radar within a two- or three-county area. Official Tornado Warnings from the National Weather Service always state the county and the time frame for the warning, so you can know when it expires If you are in a portable and a Tornado Warning is issued for the area, suspend all activities and relocate to a permanent facility Since tornadoes are relatively spontaneous within the warning area, the University may not be able to issue a timely evacuation notification. Page 17

18 CHAPTER 5: TROPICAL WEATHER 5.1. General Tropical Weather Information Dangerous hurricanes and tropical storms can affect the entire Central Florida area. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) models project the following winds for hurricanes which make landfall: Hurricane Category Coastal Wind Speed Inland 30 miles Inland 60 miles mph mph mph mph 157+ mph 71 mph 83 mph 102 mph 118 mph 146 mph 68 mph 80 mph 98 mph 113 mph 141 mph If a hurricane is approaching Central Florida, all department heads should monitor the storm via local radio, TV broadcasts, or the Internet. UCF News and Information has a hurricane information page and posts notices of campus closing at: Directors of the departments classified as essential personnel should pay special attention to official forecasts from the NHC. These forecasts give projected storm paths, as well as coastal city strike probabilities, for a wide region When any, or the entire Central Florida region falls within the three-day cone of probability on the NHC s Warnings and Three-Day Cone map, all departments need to plan how they will protect their assets When a Hurricane Watch for surrounding coastal areas is issued, all departments need to secure any sensitive or vulnerable records and equipment. A Hurricane Watch means hurricane conditions may threaten the watch area within 48 hours, which is usually several hundred miles in length If a Hurricane Warning is issued for our area, the University or branch campuses may be closed. If so, classes will be canceled and offices closed until the danger is over. A Hurricane Warning means hurricane conditions may occur within 36 hours UCF s regional campuses located at area community colleges follow the closing directives issued by the host community college. These campuses may have different closing or opening schedules than UCF s Orlando campuses. Please listen for these announcements before calling the campus information line. If you are in doubt, the campus information Page 18

19 line at (407) will have a recording of specific UCF closings. Only those faculty, staff or students who are specifically designated to work during the storm, or those who live in UCF or UCF-affiliated housing, are expected to be on campus when the campus is closed for a hurricane emergency All non-essential personnel on campus should be sent to their homes. All residents of residence halls, including Greek Park and other on-campus housing, should be sent to their permanent homes. Those who are unable to leave campus will be relocated to designated shelter areas UCF administrators, together with essential personnel department heads, will make decisions on the possible need for on-campus shelters to open and essential personnel to work during the storm. This typically occurs when UCF lies in the Three-Day Cone of probability on NHC maps, or when a hurricane watch is issued for our area Shelter areas were selected by Environmental Health and Safety personnel, in conjunction with Orange County Emergency Management and the American Red Cross. The selections were made after conducting an American Red Cross Emergency Mass Care Shelter Survey (ARC 6564), which evaluates attributes of a building to determine whether it is suitable to serve as a hurricane shelter. As much as possible, the shelters were selected to: Avoid glass; Avoid interior and exterior doors; Utilize interior spaces with short spans; Keep occupants as far away as possible from entrances; Avoid areas expected to become wind tunnels; Distribute locations throughout the building to facilitate rapid access; Avoid areas where chemicals are stored; Provide occupants with sanitation facilities; and Put as many walls as possible between you and the exterior of the building Other Tropical Weather Precautions Other specific tropical weather precautions that may need to be taken: Departments with outdoor equipment should secure all loose or fragile objects that may become a missile hazard in high winds. Page 19

20 Contractors must secure their construction sites so as to prevent high winds from picking up debris or knocking down scaffolding. Crane booms should be lowered to prevent being blown over Departments with valuable records, computers, or scientific instrumentation should secure such items by covering them with plastic, moving them away from windows, or by other means. Computers can be best protected by unplugging them, sealing them in large plastic garbage bags, and elevating them off the floor in case of flooding. Computer files and disks should be backed-up and moved to a safe location before bagging The university s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) may be activated to monitor and prepare for severe weather Emergency instructions to on-campus residents may need to be delivered in person by door-to-door visits. The Housing Resident Assistants will assist with this, if necessary Other University resources include: Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) and Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (AROTC) students may be called upon for assistance in any emergency situation. Tasking and assistance authorization will follow established Air Force and Army guidelines and procedures; The UCF Campus Emergency Response Team (CERT) is comprised of students trained in disaster response, first aid, and radio communications. The CERT team may be activated by the Office of Emergency Management to assist overwhelmed first responders on the UCF main campus; and The UCF American Red Cross Club (ARCC) is a Registered Student Organization (RSO) with UCF. These students receive training on shelter management from the American Red Cross and may assist UCF with shelter operations Facilities Operations personnel will supply plastic to the occupants of buildings for the purpose of protecting items of concern, and in covering sensitive equipment and furniture. Facilities Operations also has a limited ability to provide sandbags at certain buildings to protect against flood. Requesters anticipating a need for sandbags should make such requests well in advance. Sandbags can be obtained by calling (407) The following may be implemented as determined by the President or his or her designee: Page 20

21 Food Service should procure those provisions necessary to provide food to essential personnel, their families, and the remaining resident and affiliated students. This is the responsibility of the Director of Business Services All campus roadways except those used for emergency preparation activities will be closed. This is the responsibility of the University Police Department The University s Health Center should be prepared to assist individuals who are injured or ill. This is the responsibility of Health Services A staging area for the news media will be established. This will be a joint effort between the University Police and News and Information departments. Page 21

22 CHAPTER 6: HIGH WINDS 6.1. General High Wind Information The causes of damage to buildings by a tornado may be classified in one of three categories, which include: extreme winds, missiles, collapse All buildings have at least one undesirable structural feature relating to the effects of a tornado. Examples are: large areas of glass, long roof/ceiling spans, wind tunnels, and loadbearing wall construction. Due to these features, individuals may need to relocate during high wind events. It is recommended that individuals seek shelter in interior rooms, away from windows. Page 22

23 CHAPTER 7: EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION 7.1. Campus Notification Perhaps the most important aspect of this plan is ensuring all those present on campus are notified of an emergency weather situation. When the determination has been made that a natural disaster is imminent, UCF Police and News and Information should ensure appropriate personnel are notified, in accordance with UCF Alert During emergencies, UCF s Emergency Notification System Plan and Protocol calls for immediate notification of emergency responders and all members of the campus community. For more information, refer to the Emergency Notification Systems Plans and Protocol Plan External Notification Damage assessment teams will be assembled, as necessary. They will report damage to the EOC, after which the EOC Director or the Office of Emergency Management will notify the National Weather Service Office in Melbourne. Page 23

24 CHAPTER 8: MINIMUM ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN 8.1 Severe Thunderstorm Watch Be aware that conditions may be ripe for the development of high winds, large hail, and possibly an isolated tornado. 8.2 Severe Thunderstorm Warning Review your severe weather action plan. Usual activities can continue safely indoors, but be prepared to seek shelter. Avoid going outside, if possible, and stay away from windows. 8.3 Tornado Watch Review your severe weather action plan. Usual activities can continue, but be prepared to seek shelter. 8.4 Tornado Warning When a Tornado Warning is issued, activating the sirens and broadcasting a Tornado Warning via the severe weather radios, all supervisors and instructors shall immediately lead their employees and students to their building's designated shelter area. Persons responsible for severe weather radios in the building should unplug them and take them to the shelter area to monitor for additional warnings. All persons located outdoors shall seek shelter indoors immediately Exterior doors should not be opened. Under no circumstances should persons leave buildings during a warning. During a warning, persons should take one of two positions: 1) the preferred position is kneeling with one s head between his or her knees, facing the wall, 2) the other is seated on the floor with one s back to the wall. In either case, persons should be as low as possible to reduce their potential for injuries from flying missiles, glass, or debris. If available, some form of covering should be used to protect heads, arms, and legs The warnings will last for an hour from the last siren, unless a shorter time is indicated by the National Weather Service. Building occupants should remain in the shelter area for at least that long, unless a new warning is issued Remember, you typically have only three minutes to reach a shelter so do not delay. Waiting can mean the difference between life and death. Everyone must be familiar with the location of the severe weather shelter area(s) in their buildings and should be briefed on what actions to take when the sirens have sounded. Persons in the shelter should tune to local radio stations, their severe weather radio, and/or a NOAA weather radio for additional information. Page 24

25 CHAPTER 9: SEVERE WEATHER KIT 9.1. Contents It is recommended that departments develop Severe Weather Kits for personnel who may be required to continue work while normal campus operations have suspended due to severe weather events. Individuals should also develop Severe Weather Kits for their personal preparedness at home. Recommended contents includes: Water, at least a three-day supply, 1 gallon per person per day Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food Can opener Flashlight(s), with extra batteries Battery-operated radio, with extra batteries NOAA weather radio, if available First-aid kit An A-B-C-type fire extinguisher Several blankets Important documents, ie: insurance, medical records, bank account numbers, social security cards Extra clothes, including rain gear Cash and credit cards Identification cards Whistle to signal for help Prescription medications and prescription paperwork Toiletries Pet plan Page 25

26 CHAPTER 10: TRAINING AND PROGRAMS 10.1 Severe Weather Training The University of Central Florida offers the following severe weather training: Storm Spotter Training 10.2 Severe Weather Programs The UCF Office of Emergency Management and the National Weather Service will train storm spotters and maintain a list of trained spotters for activation in the event of severe weather The University of Central Florida offers the following severe weather programs: Severe Weather Awareness Week UCF Preparedness Fair Annual Safety Talks Severe Weather Emergencies Extreme Temperature Weather Emergencies Hurricanes, Storms and Flooding Page 26

27 CHAPTER 11: ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Radio WUCF 89.9 FM WMFE FM WTKS FM WDBO AM WWNZ AM Television WESH TV Channel WCPX TV Channel WFTV TV Channel Internet Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) UCF OEM Website National Weather Service: Melbourne, FL Other Resources UCF OEM recommends these references for tracking tropical waves, storms and hurricanes. National Hurricane Center (NHC) bulletins and outlooks are issued four times daily 2 a.m., 8 a.m., 2 p.m., and 8 p.m. during hurricane season If the NHC is down or busy, try these alternate resources: The Weather Channel: Check this as a back-up site for NHC bulletins or as a primary resource for satellite views of storms Atlantic Tropical Weather Center: Check this as a back-up site for NHC advisories and their Tropical Outlook, or as a primary resource to view satellite pictures of storms. Page 27

28 To report storm damage, call the National Weather Center in Melbourne at , extension 241. Page 28

29 APPENDIX A: USER GUIDE FOR TROPICAL WEATHER REPORTS Page 29

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