Severe Weather Event (tornado, hurricane, ice storms, etc.)

Severe storms can occur at any time of year and affect the campus. Thunderstorms, tornadoes, hail, blizzards, ice storms, high winds and heavy rain can develop quickly and threaten life and property. In the event of a weather emergency, listen to the local radio or television stations for severe weather warnings and advice prior to commuting to campus.

The Department of Public Safety continuously monitors weather conditions and the latest forecasts. If you are on campus, you will be notified of a weather emergency or a potential weather emergency through the various emergency notification systems in place such as the PA system, the Humber Guardian App, etc.

In the event of a thunderstorm:

  • Stay away from items that conduct electricity, such as telephones, appliances, sinks and metal pipes.
  • If you are outdoors, take shelter immediately, preferably in a building but, failing this, in a depressed area such as a ditch or culvert.
  • Never wait it out under a tree.

In the event of a tornado, take shelter immediately:

  • Go to the lowest level of a sturdy building.
  • Do not go to your parked car.
  • Avoid wide-span buildings, such as auditoriums.
  • Seek shelter in small windowless rooms such as washrooms, or stairwells.
  • Stay away from elevators, doors, and windows. Flying glass is extremely dangerous.
  • If you are caught outdoors and no shelter is available, lie flat in a ditch, ravine, or other low-lying area, and shield your head with your arms.

In the event of a blizzard or ice storm:

  • If you go outside, dress for the weather.
  • Pay attention to branches or wires that could break due to the weight of any ice or heavy snow.
  • Never touch power lines. During an ice storm, a hanging power line could be charged (live) and you would run the risk of electrocution. Remember also that ice, branches, or power lines can continue to break and fall for several hours after the storm has passed.
  • Freezing rain can make roads and sidewalks extremely slippery.
  • Use caution when walking or driving.