Ohio is conducting a statewide tornado drill on Wednesday, March 20, at 9:50 a.m. All Kent State University campuses will be participating in this test. We will broadcast a pre-recorded tornado education message through speaker systems and university IP (Internet Protocol) phones throughout buildings on all Kent State campuses.
This is only a test of the mass notification systems, and no shelter-in-place activities are required.
The Kent Campus tests the tornado sirens and emergency mass notification system on the first Wednesday of every month at 11 a.m. and on the third Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. These tests last for three minutes. This statewide test will replace the usual 6:30 p.m. test in March. The city of Kent will also participate in the use of the tornado sirens for this drill.
Peak tornado season in Ohio is generally April through July. Tornadoes usually occur between 2 p.m. and 10 p.m., although they can occur at other times and throughout the year.
Every building on campus has a designated tornado shelter, and members of the university community are asked to please become familiar with their location. Emergency Plan Maps can be located throughout most university buildings. Experts agree that the best options are to go to an underground shelter, basement or safe room. If no underground shelter or safe room is available, the safest alternative is a small, windowless interior room or hallway on the lowest level of a sturdy building, such as an interior bathroom.
Again, please be aware that the university is participating in this statewide tornado drill on Wednesday, March 20, at 9:50 a.m. This is only a test.
In cases of inclement weather that impact the university, visit the university's advisory webpage for information and updates.