Franklin & Marshall College

The National Weather Service has issued a tornado warning for several areas in Central Pennsylvania, including Lancaster County, until 4:45 p.m. Friday, June 1.

A "tornado warning" means that a tornado has either been confirmed on the ground or detected on radar, and you should take immediate action to take cover. You should stay away from windows as well as doors and walls that face the building's exterior. Members of the Franklin & Marshall campus community and visitors to campus should be prepared to take cover quickly should a tornado develop in the immediate area.

The National Weather Service will make additional announcements when the tornado warning is extended, canceled or expired. Franklin & Marshall College officials will provided updated information via the College's homepage and via text and email through the Franklin & Marshall Emergency Alert (FMEA) system.

The outdoor activities planned as part of the Reunion activities for alumni and visitors on campus the evening of June 1 have been moved inside:

• The 6 p.m. All Class Dinner has been moved into the Ben Franklin Dining Hall.
• The 9 p.m. Reunion Class Social for the Class of 1982 has been moved into the Atrium of Steinman College Center.

The Department of Public Safety is advising all individuals on campus to seek immediate shelter. Emergency locations for shelter on campus include:

• The Benjamin Franklin Dining Hall (or D-Hall); remain in the residential halls and stay in the hallways.
• The Basement of Steinman College Center.

If you cannot get to these shelters and find yourself in the following locations, go to the safe areas indicated within these buildings:

• Barshinger Life Sciences and Philosophy Building, stay in hallways
• Stager Hall, remain in the lower level
• ASFC, go to the locker rooms
• Other buildings, remain in lower areas.

The following actions should help protect you in the unlikely event that a tornado strikes:

If you are in a building:

• Go to a shelter area such as a basement or the lowest building level.
• If there is no basement, go to the center of an interior room on the lowest level (closet, interior hallway) away from corners, windows, doors and outside walls. Put as many walls as possible between you and the outside.
• Get under a sturdy table and use your arms to protect your head and neck.
• Do not open windows.

If you are outdoors:

• Lie flat in a nearby ditch or depression and cover your head with your hands.
• Do not get under an overpass or bridge. You are safer in a low, flat location.
• Never try to outrun a tornado in urban or congested areas in a car or truck. Instead, leave the vehicle immediately for safe shelter.
• Watch out for flying debris. Flying debris from tornadoes causes most fatalities and injuries.

Additional guidelines are available on the College's Emergency Preparation Guidelines.