Severe Weather and Natural Disasters

Severe Thunderstorm or Tornado

All lightning can be deadly. When you hear thunder or see lightning, go indoors. In addition to potentially deadly lightning, a severe thunderstorm also has wind greater than 58 mph (50 knots), and/or hail 1” or larger, and/or a tornado.

A watch is defined as conditions are favorable for the development of severe weather in the watch area. Pay attention to broadcasts, and prepare to take action.

A warning is an urgent announcement that hazardous weather is occurring, or is imminent. Take immediate action to stay safe.

Indoors

• Stay indoors, don’t exit the building and don’t use elevators
• Locate an interior room
• Help direct people with special needs to a safe place, if necessary
• Remain inside until 30 minutes after the last thunder

In the event of a TORNADO WARNING, or if a funnel cloud is reported:

• Go directly to an enclosed, windowless area in the center of the building, corners or building support columns are best. Avoid the middle of interior walls
• Stay away from all windows and large glass objects
• Crouch down and cover your head. Interior stairwells are usually good places to take shelter, and if not crowded, allow you to get to a lower level quickly
• Avoid being underneath heavier objects such as lights, wall hangings and other items, which may fall
• Remain inside until the tornado has passed
• Do not use matches or lighters, in case of leaking natural gas pipes or nearby fuel tanks
• Help direct people with special needs to a safe place, if necessary
• If instructed to evacuate, see “EVACUATION” page

Outdoors

• Move away from trees, buildings, walls, and power lines
• Seek the lowest possible ground, i.e. ditch, small trench. Lying flat in a ditch or low-lying area may be the only thing available. Note: Never enter an open trench where a cave-in or flooding may be possible
• Stay away from power lines and puddles with wires in them, they may be “live”
• Do not use matches or lighters, in case of leaking gas pipes or fuel tanks
•  

Hail

• Seek protective shelter immediately
• Remain indoors or under protective shelter until hail has stopped, usually 5-10 minutes

Lightning

If you hear thunder:

• Seek protective shelter immediately
• If outdoors, do not stand underneath tall isolated objects. Avoid projecting above the surrounding landscape. Seek shelter in a low area under a thick growth of small trees. Avoid open areas and seek low areas such as a ravine or valley
• Get off or away from open water as well as metal equipment or small metal vehicles such as motorcycles, bicycles, golf carts, etc. Stay away from wire fences, clotheslines, metal pipes and rails. If you are in a group in the open, spread out, keeping people several yards apart
• Remember—lightning may strike some miles from the parent cloud. If you feel your hair stand on end, lightning may be about to strike you. Drop to your knees and bend forward, putting your hands on your knees. Do not lie flat on the ground

Hurricane

Unlike other natural disasters, a hurricane is usually preceded by hours or days of fore notice and warning, allowing you to prepare.

Before the hurricane

• Stay informed. Pay attention to announcements from Institute administrators, and visit www.hurricanes.gov for hurricane information.
• Bring in all outdoor furniture, decorations, garbage cans and anything else that is not tied down
• Suspend or shut down laboratory experiments. All chemicals used in an active experiment should be closed and returned to their normal storage location such as flammable storage cabinet, ventilated cabinet, refrigerator, or hazardous waste storage area.
• Shut down and unplug computers and sensitive equipment
• In flood prone areas (basements), move valuable items and documents to table tops and away from windows
• Refresh your emergency kit with fresh batteries, flashlight, important medications, drinking water, and snacks
• Be prepared to evacuate if instructed to do so. (The decision to evacuate from campus will be based upon the severity of the hurricane)
• If instructed to evacuate, see “EVACUATION” page

During the hurricane

• Listen to the radio and/or TV for information, and visit emergency.mit.net for updates
• Avoid using the phone, except for serious emergencies
• Stay indoors during the hurricane and away from windows and glass doors
• Keep curtains and blinds closed. Do not be fooled if there is a lull; it could be the eye of the storm – winds will pick up again.
• Avoid being underneath heavier objects such as lights, wall hangings and other items, which may fall
• Do not use matches, candles or lighters (in case of leaking gas pipes or fuel tanks)
• Avoid elevators
• Help direct people with special needs to a safe place, if necessary

After the hurricane

• Stay alert for extended rainfall even after the hurricane has ended
• Minimize travel. Drive only if absolutely necessary and avoid flooded roads and washed out bridges.
• Go outdoors only if absolutely necessary and watch for fallen objects; downed electrical wires; and weakened walls, bridges, roads, and sidewalks.
• Keep away from loose or dangling power lines and report them immediately to MIT Police at 617-253-1212 (x100 from a campus phone)

Extreme Heat

• Stay indoors as much as possible and limit exposure to the sun
• Drink plenty of water. Avoid drinks with caffeine
• Eat well-balanced, light and regular meals
• Limit your intake of alcoholic beverages
• Avoid strenuous work during the warmest part of the day
• Dress in loose-fitting, lightweight, and light-colored clothes that cover as much skin as possible. Wear a wide-brimmed hat to protect face and head.
• Be aware of the symptoms of medical heat emergencies. See “MEDICAL EMERGENCY”  page for information on first aid.

Looking for places to stay cool on campus during hot days? Check out MIT’s Cool Spots!

Winter Storm and Extreme Cold

• Stay indoors during the storm
• Walk carefully on snowy, icy walkways
• Keep dry. Change wet clothing frequently to prevent a loss of body heat
• Be aware of the symptoms of medical cold emergencies. See “MEDICAL EMERGENCY” page for information on first aid.
• If outdoors, prevent medical cold emergencies by wearing warm, loose- fitting, lightweight clothing in several layers
• Minimize travel, drive only if it is absolutely necessary
• Travel during the day; don’t travel alone; keep others informed of your schedule/route; stay on main roads and avoid back road shortcuts.

Earthquake

If you are Indoors:

In modern buildings, falling down, or being struck by falling objects causes most earthquake-related injuries. In the event of an earthquake, and you are inside a building DROP, COVER and HOLD ON immediately.

• Drop, Cover, and Hold On:
  • Take cover under a sturdy desk, table, or bench, or against an inside wall, and hold on. If there is no desk or table near you, cover your face and head with your arms and crouch in an inside wall of the building.
• Do not use elevators.
• Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls, and anything that could fall, such as lighting fixtures and tall furniture.
• Stay inside until the shaking stops and it is safe to exit the building. Most injuries during earthquakes occur when people are hit by falling objects while trying to leave a building during an earthquake.
• Be aware that electricity may go out, that pipes, including fire sprinkler systems, may break or that fire alarms may turn on.

If you are outdoors:

• Stay outside.
• Move to an area away from buildings, trees, streetlights and utility wires.

If you are in a car:

• Stop as quickly as safety permits, pull to the side of the road, and stay in the car.
• Avoid stopping near or under buildings, trees, overpasses, and utility wires.
• Do not attempt to drive across or under bridges or overpasses that have been damaged

When the ground stops shaking:

• Check for Injuries. In the event of serious injuries, call 9-1-1, but be aware that they may well be overwhelmed, and you may be on your own for some time.