Tornado Watch/Warning Policy
Tornado Watch Procedure
When the National Weather Service has declared a tornado watch, the weather conditions are considered favorable for tornados to form in and near the watch area.
- Identify a staff member or volunteer to monitor conditions.
- While other church activities continue, the appointed person should:
- Listen for radio updates.
- Listen for tornado sirens.
- Watch for these tornado warning signs: a dark, often greenish sky; large hail; low-lying clouds; and/or a loud roar similar to a freight train.
- If conditions shift to that of a tornado warning, the appointed person shall notify everyone in the building.
Tornado Warning Procedure
When there is a tornado warning, a tornado has been sighted by the public, local law enforcement, or a Doppler radar indicated an area of rotation that could develop, or has developed, into a tornado. Most likely, the community tornado sirens will be activated.
- If you are out in the open:
- Attempt to reach shelter, such as a building. If unable to escape or find shelter, lie flat in a ditch or depression, avoiding areas subject to rapid water accumulation or flooding in heavy rains.
- Do not shelter in vehicles, low-lying areas that could flood, or by outside walls or windows.
- If you are inside or can reach the church building:
- Remain in the building. Stay away from exterior walls and windows.
- All individuals should move to shelter areas or shelter in place, depending on the warning issued.
- Designated shelter area is the lower level of the building away from windows. The sanctuary and the café have too many windows to be considered a safe shelter location.
- Person(s) monitoring the radio should continue to monitor for the expiration or continuation of the warning.
- Nursery staff will assist all children.
- Provide assistance to persons with disabilities.
- Get under or behind heavy furniture if possible.
- Turn back to windows and sit if possible, otherwise remain standing.
- REMAIN IN THE SHELTER UNTIL THE TORNADO WARNING IS OVER. Church leaders will monitor the radio, TV, or weather monitor to determine when the tornado warning is over.
Tornado Post-Event Procedure
Take these actions after a tornado has touched down on the BC3 building or property and cleared:
- Gather in the evacuation assembly point. Gather into family units, or group yourself with the people who were with you prior to the tornado.
- DO NOT re-enter the building until it has been declared safe by trained personnel such as the fire department.
- Wait for an all-clear signal from an official church representative before leaving the premises. We need to account for every member and visitor that we can.