As we enter severe weather season and recognize Severe Weather Awareness Week (March 25-29), it is important for those on campus to get re-acquainted with the University of Iowa's emergency notification systems, how to properly prepare for severe weather, and where to find additional information.

As part of this effort, Campus Safety will test the Hawk Alert system at approximately 10 a.m. on Wednesday, March 27 in conjunction with the National Weather Service (NWS) and Johnson County severe weather drills.

The sirens will be activated, and registered users will receive test Hawk Alert messages. This process helps confirm that you can receive timely emergency notifications. If you have any feedback following this test, please send an email to dps-oem@uiowa.edu.

Although the university drill does not include the practice of seeking shelter, some facilities may opt to do a shelter drill. Regardless, you are strongly encouraged to pause and consider what actions you would take, including where you would go, if it were an actual tornado or applicable severe weather warning.

In the event of severe weather or other active emergencies on Wednesday, the drill and Hawk Alert test may be postponed and held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, March 28, or additional notification will be provided.

If you receive a notification or encounter severe wind-related weather conditions consider the following actions, which are recommended by the NWS:

• Inside: Go to the basement or a safe room and assume a tornado safety position. If you don't have either, proceed to the lowest innermost room away from windows. Do not go to large open rooms such as cafeterias, gymnasiums, or auditoriums.
• Outside: Seek shelter inside a sturdy building immediately.
• In a vehicle: Being in a vehicle during a tornado is not safe. The best course of action is to drive to the closest shelter. If you are unable to make it to a safe shelter, either get down in your car and cover your head, or abandon your car and seek shelter in a low lying area such as a ditch or ravine.
• Stay weather-ready: Continue to monitor local news or a NOAA Weather Radio to stay updated about watches and warnings.

Keep in mind:

• The outdoor warning (siren) system is designed to notify those who are outdoors of the emergency condition. When indoors, the best way to receive severe weather notifications is through a NOAA weather radio.
• Be mindful of persons who are deaf or hard of hearing, or of those who may not be aware of emergency notifications because they are sleeping, watching TV, or listening to music.
• If you know of others in the building, please inform them of emergency conditions as you make your way to safety. If you can do so safely, help those who may need assistance to a safe area.

Stay Weather Ready

Update your Settings

Before the Hawk Alert test, please take a moment to update your Hawk Alert preferences and make sure you are signed up to receive text messages, which are the fastest way to receive an alert. 

Emergency Response Guide

Review the university's Emergency Response Guide for more information about how to respond to various types of emergencies that could affect the university. 

Weather Updates

Consider monitoring the National Weather Service and local media outlets for timely weather updates. 

Campus Updates

Emergency information is posted to emergency.uiowa.edu following a Hawk Alert. Please refer to this page during active Hawk Alerts for the most updated information.