Natural Disasters

Emergency Preparedness

Know "Where to Go" in an emergency.

Washington University in St. Louis is committed to protecting the safety and security of our community. The following information will tell you where to go for information in an emergency, where to go on campus, how to report an emergency, how to respond when an emergency occurs, and how to prepare for an emergency.

Emergencies or disasters can happen at any time and usually occur without warning. When an emergency strikes at Washington University, our safe and prompt recovery will depend on existing levels of preparedness and a thoughtful response among students, faculty, staff, and visitors.

Where to go for information when a crisis occurs.

You will have multiple ways to obtain information about the status of a crisis, should one take place at Washington University.

Web Site: Visit the University's Web site http://emergency.wustl.edu. New information will be posted to the site continuously.  If there is no current emergency, the site will say so.

E-mail: Check your e-mail for updated information.

Hotline: You can listen to frequently updated voice messages by calling the university hotline: (314) 935-9000 or 888-234-2863 from out of area.

Know "Where to go when a crisis occurs"

Buildings on all campuses of Washington University have Emergency Assembly Points (EAP), which will be marked with the "Where to go" symbol. Look for the one closest to you. To preview the location of Emergency Assembly Points, visit http://emergency.wustl.edu

How to report an emergency.

If you witness an emergency situtation, to get help and report the emergency to the Washington University Police Department (WUPD) or Protective Services on the Medical Campus, please call

Here's what you need to know to prepare for an emergency.

Family preparedness: You will be much more effective in responsing to an emergency that takes place at Washington University if you know your family and loved ones are safe. For tips on how to prepare your family for an emergency, go to the following Web site: http://www.dhss.mo.gov/ready_in_3.

Emergency Text messages: Washington University has established a service for having emergency text messages sent to your cellular phone. If you have not already done so, register at http://emergency.wustl.edu

Keep your information current: Washington University can only get emergency information to you if the University knows how to reach you. Faculty & Staff should confirm information on HRMS at http://hr.wustl.edu. Students should confirm information on SIS at http://aisweb.wustl.edustudentrecords/home.nsf.

Emergency E-mail System

The University has established an e-mail system to communicate critical information to the campus community in a time of urgency. The Emergency E-mail Broadcast System (EEBS) is the result of a collaborative effort by the University's various e-mail systems managers to create an efficient means of transmitting e-mail messages to the entire campus. The Chancellor's Office determines the need for using the EEBS and develops the content of messages transmitted in this way.

Preparing well in advance of emergencies is one of the most effective ways to deal with any disaster. Please review precautions, and take the steps recommended here.

St. Louis lies in the New Madrid fault zone, the site of several large earthquakes in the early 1800s.  Another large earthquake in the region could cause significant damage to the St. Louis area.

Prepare for an earthquake by taking a few minutes to identify possible hazards in your work area or dorm.

Before an earthquake:

• Keep in mind that most problems from a severe earthquake result from falling objects and debris (partial building collapses, ceiling plaster, light fixtures, etc.), not from ground movement.
• Affix shelves, with brackets, securely to bookcases. Remove heavy objects from shelves above head level. Do not hang plants in heavy pots that could swing free of hooks. Bookcases, cabinets, or wall decorations can topple over or fall.
• Locate beds away from windows and heavy objects that could fall. Don't hang mirrors or picture frames over beds.
• Secure appliances that could move, causing rupture of gas or electrical lines. Flexible connectors are suggested for gas/water lines. Know location of master switches and shut-off valves.
• Make sure overhead lighting fixtures are well secured to the ceiling and move heavy, unstable objects away from exit routes.
• Replace glass bottles with plastic containers, or move them to the lowest shelves.
• Be aware that all utilities (gas/electric/water) will probably be down as a result of a severe earthquake. Emergency services may be extremely limited for up to 72 hours.
• Choose one out-of-state friend or relative that family members can call to learn of your whereabouts and condition.
• Store or have access to emergency supplies (water; nonperishable, ready-to-eat food; first aid kit; medicine; tools; portable radio; flashlight; fresh batteries; blankets; warm jacket; fire extinguisher) in a secure place at your residence and in your car.

During an earthquake:

• Stay calm!
• Stay put, but evacuate tunnels, mechanical rooms, laboratories, and indoor swimming pools.
• Take cover under a sturdy piece of furniture.  Stay away from glass, windows, and outside doors. If unable to move, cover your head and body with your arms, pillows, blankets, books, etc. to protect yourself from falling objects. Avoid high bookcases, mirrors, cabinets, or other furniture that might topple.
• Hold on until the shaking stops.
• Never take an elevator.
  
• If an earthquake occurs when you are outside, get away from buildings, walls, trees, and utility wires. Stay in an open area until shaking stops. The greatest danger from falling debris is near exterior doorways and close to outer walls.  Move to an open area if possible.  Drop to the ground until the shaking stops.
  
<>If driving, pull over and stop your car.  Do not stop on overpasses, underpasses or bridges.  Stay in the vehicle until the shaking stops.
 

After an earthquake.

Tornados:

• The Midwest is prone to violent weather. Broadcast radio, television and Internet weather sites issue severe weather alerts.

Before a tornado:

• Familiarize yourself with the most favorable areas for shelter. Evacuate to the basement, an inside hallway, or an interior bathroom on the lowest level possible with a flashlight and radio.
• Familiarize yourself with the buildings evacuation plan.
• Be familiar with the weather service alert and siren system. There is a "test" in the St. Louis area the first Monday of each month at 11:00 a.m. unless there is an actual threat of severe weather or tornado.

During a tornado:

• Evacuate to the basement, an inside hallway on the lowest level possible with a flashlight and radio. Get under something sturdy and cover your head or assume a crouched position with arms over your head. Remain away from outside walls.
• Stay away from windows, particularly on the windward side and avoid shelter in large rooms with large unsupported roof spans.
• If outside in an automobile, do not try to outrace the tornado; drive at right angles away from the tornado's path. If there isn't time to evade the tornado or if you are on foot, take cover and lie flat in the nearest depression such as a ditch, culvert, excavation, or ravine.

After a tornado:

• Help injured or trapped persons.
• Turn on the radio, television or go to the internet (http://emergency.wustl.edu) to get the latest emergency information and instructions.
• Use the telephone for emergency calls only.
• If you smell gas or chemical fumes, leave the building and gather outside at the designated Emergency Assembly Point (EAP) and do no attempt to re-enter the building until instructed to do so by firefighters or University public safety staff.

If you have questions or need further advice, please call the Safety Office at 935-5659.