WHEN THE WEATHER TURNS SEVERE

A GUIDE TO DEVELOPING A 

SEVERE WEATHER EMERGENCY PLAN

FOR SCHOOLS

This document contains valuable information on developing a strategic plan for coping with severe weather emergencies. While this document was written for schools, it can also be adapted for buisnesses, factories, or other places where large groups of people are present and potentially at risk from hazardous weather.

This document was originally written by Barbra McNaught-Watson (Warning and Coordination Meteorologist, NWS Sterling, VA). It was adapted for Central New York and Northeast Pennsylvania by Stephan Kuhl (Former Warning and Coordination Meteorologist, NWS Binghamton, NY), and modified for WWW presentation by Jeff Waldstreicher (Science and Operations Officer, NWS Binghamton, NY) and Dave Nicosia (current Warning Coordination Meteorologist, NWS Binghamton).

For a hardcopy version of this guide, or further information on hazardous weather preparedness, please e-mail David Nicosia. For additional on-line weather safety and preparedness information, click here.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
(Click on the Section you wish to go to)

I. INTRODUCTION

• NWS Mission Statement
• What to Expect from this Guide
• Choosing a Severe Weather Coordinator

II. SECTION 1 - Severe Weather: Understanding Your Risks and the Importance of a Plan

• A. Tornadoes CAN Happen Here
• B. Flash Flood/Flooding
• C. Lightning
• D. Straight Line Winds
• E. Hail
• F. Winter Weather
• G. Conclusion

III. SECTION 2 - Designing Your Severe Weather Emergency Plan

• A. How to Get Emergency Weather Information
• B. Getting the Message Out to Students and Staff
• C. Determining Severe Weather Safety Zones in Your School
• D. When to Activate Your Plan and When to Return to Normal Activities
• E. Determining When to Delay Departure of Students
• F. School Bus Driver Actions
• G. Special Considerations for Excessive Cold
• H. Special Considerations for Excessive Heat
• I. Need for Periodic Exercises and Severe Weather Safety Instruction

IV. SECTION 3 - Designing Your Winter Weather Emergency Plan

• A. How to Get Winter Weather Information
• B. Alerting Students and Staff to Take Action
• C. Determining When to Activate Your Plan
• D. Determining When to Cancel or Delay Classes
• E. School Bus Actions
• F. Need for Winter Weather Safety Instruction

APPENDIX A - National Weather Service Terms (What to Listen For)

APPENDIX B - Glossary of Weather Terms

APPENDIX C - General Severe Weather Safety

APPENDIX D - Wind Chill and Heat Index Charts