KSU Storm & Safety Information
To Keep You Safe!

Lightning  •  Tornado  •  Hail  •  Flooding  •  Heat  •  ICE Campaign

KSU Emergency Info 

LIGHTNING SAFETY

Lightning - The Underrated Killer
In the United States, there are an estimated 25 million lightning flashes each year. During the past 30 years, lightning killed an average of 62 people per year. This ties the average of 62 deaths per year caused by tornadoes. Yet, because lightning usually claims only one or two victims at a time and does not cause mass destruction of property, it is underrated as a risk. While documented lightning injuries in the United States average about 300 per year, undocumented injuries are likely much higher.

• Watch for Developing Thunderstorms. Thunderstorms are most likely to develop on spring or summer days, but can occur year round. As the sun heats the air, pockets of warmer air start to rise and cumulus clouds form. Continued heating can cause these clouds to grow vertically into towering cumulus clouds, often the first sign of a developing thunderstorm.
• As A Thunderstorm Approaches, When to Seek Safe Shelter. Lightning can strike as far as 10 miles from an area where it is raining. That's about the distance you can hear thunder. If you can hear thunder, you are within striking distance. Seek safe shelter immediately.
• Outdoor Activities, Minimize the Risk of Being Struck. Most lightning deaths and injuries occur in the summer. Where organized outdoor sports activities take place, coaches, camp counselors and other adults must stop activities at the first roar of thunder to ensure everyone time to get a large building or enclosed vehicle. Leaders of outdoors events should have a written plan that all staff are aware of and enforce.
• Indoor Activities, Things to Avoid. If you are inside a building, stay off corded phones, computers and other electrical equipment that put you in direct contact with electricity. Stay away from pools, indoor or outdoor, tubs, showers and other plumbing. Buy surge suppressors for key equipment. Install ground fault protectors on circuits near water or outdoors. When inside, wait 30 minutes after the last strike, before going out again.
• Helping a Lightning Strike Victim. If a person is struck by lightning, call 911 and get medical care immediately. Cardiac arrest and irregularities, burns, and nerve damage are common in cases where people are struck by lightning. However, with proper treatment, including CPR if necessary, most victims survive a lightning strike. You are in no danger helping a lightning victim. The charge will not affect you.
• Lightning is Dangerous! With common sense, you can greatly increase your safety and the safety of those you are with. At the first clap of thunder, go to a large building or fully enclosed vehicle and wait 30 minutes after the last clap of thunder to go back outside.

When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!

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TORNADO SAFETY

When it comes to tornado safety, there is not any fool-proof measure that can guarantee your safety. However, by following the tips listed below, your chances of survival are greatly increased.
 

Before a tornado strikes:

• Look for approaching storms which: may include a dark greenish tint; contain large hail; or produce a loud roaring noise of rushing wind.
• Monitor NOAA Weather Radio for the latest updates.
• Monitor local media for the latest warnings from the National Weather Service.

Where to go when a tornado warning has been issued for your area:

1. Indoors:
   
   ♦ Go to a pre-designated shelter area such as a safe room, basement, storm cellar, 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.
    
2. In a vehicle:
   
   ♦ Your 1st option might be driving away from the danger. Notice the direction of movement of the tornado and drive at a right angle to a shelter. Remember to drive at a right angle, never try to outrun the tornado.
   
   ♦ Otherwise, get out of your vehicle and lie flat in a nearby ditch or depression and cover your head with your hands. Be aware of the potential for flooding.
   
   ♦ Do not get under an overpass or bridge. You are safer in a low, flat location.
   
   ♦ At night, the tornado may be nearly impossible to see. Err on the side of caution and get out of your vehicle and into a sturdy shelter or nearby ditch.
    
3. In a trailer or mobile home:
   
   ♦ Get out immediately and go to the lowest floor of a sturdy, nearby building or a storm shelter. Mobile homes, even if tied down, offer little protection from tornadoes. If all else fails remember the word DUCK: Down to the lowest level Under something sturdy Cover your head Keep in shelter until the storm passes

Tornado sirens are intended to inform people outside to seek shelter. You may not hear the tornado siren if you are indoors. This is especially true if you are inside our campus buildings. For this we have our “Automated Telephone Calling System.” In case of a tornado event, the KSU Police Dispatch will initiate a call on the university telephone system to key personnel in all departments. In addition, a text message will go out to everyone who has opted into the text messaging system.

Be safe – when you receive notice of a tornado, seek shelter immediately. Stay there until the storm hazard passes.
 

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FLOOD SAFETY

Did you know that floods, especially flash foods, kill more people each year than any other weather phenomenon? And do you know why? The main reason is that people underestimate the force and power of water. As little as six inches of fast moving water can sweep you off your feet and 18 to 24 inches of water is enough to float a car and carry it away. If you see a road barrier across a flooded roadway, then “Turn Around. Don’t Drown!”

This is the National Weather Service’s motto. We want you to remember this if you encounter a situation where you see water covering a roadway. You will not know the depth of the water or know the condition of the road under the water. Did you also know that about 60 percent of all flood deaths result from people trying to cross flooded roads in vehicles when the moving water sweeps them away? So Turn Around. Don’t Drown! Don’t become one of the statistics.

Helpful safety rules to adhere to:

• When heavy rains threaten, monitor NOAA Weather Radio or your favorite news source for weather information. If flooding occurs, get to higher ground. Leave areas subject to flooding, such as dips, low spots and underpasses. Avoid areas already flooded. Do not attempt to cross flowing streams. Never drive through flooded roadways. Turn Around. Don’t Drown. If your vehicle is suddenly caught in rising water, leave it immediately and seek higher ground. Look for a floatation device. Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to see flood dangers.
• Please report flooding to your local authorities or The National Weather Service.
• Finally, know when you are at risk. Keep abreast of the latest weather watches and warnings. Let caution and good sense be your guides. Remember, Turn Around. Don’t Drown!
   

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SURVIVING THE HEAT

Heat illness includes a range of disorders that result when your body is exposed to more heat than it can handle. The human body is constantly engaged in a life-and-death struggle to disperse the heat that it produces. If allowed to accumulate, the heat would quickly increase your body temperature beyond its comfortable 98.6° F.

Who is at risk? Heat-related illness can affect anyone not used to hot weather, especially when it's combined with high humidity. Those especially at risk:

• Employees working in the heat
• Individuals with heart or circulatory problems or other long-term illness
• Infants, young children, elderly and pets
• Athletes and people who like to exercise (especially beginners)
• Individuals taking certain medications that alter sweat production
• Alcoholics and drug abusers

Heatstroke
Heatstroke is the most serious and life-threatening heat-related illness. In certain circumstances, your body can build up too much heat, your temperature may rise to life-threatening levels, and you can become delirious or lose consciousness. If you do not rid your body of excess heat fast enough, it "cooks" the brain and other vital organs. It is often fatal, and those who do survive may have permanent damage to their vital organs.

Symptoms of heatstroke include:

• The victim's body feels extremely hot when touched.
• Altered mental status (behavior) ranging from slight confusion and disorientation to coma.
• Conscious victims usually become irrational, agitated, or even aggressive and may have seizures.
• In severe heatstroke, the victim can go into a coma in less than one hour. The longer the coma lasts, the lower the chance for survival.

What to do:

1. Move person to a half-sitting position in the shade
2. Call for emergency medical help immediately
3. If humidity is below 75%, spray victim with water and vigorously fan
   If humidity is above 75%, apply ice packs on neck, armpits or groin

Heat Exhaustion
Heat exhaustion is characterized by heavy perspiration with normal or slightly above normal body temperatures. It is caused by water or salt depletion or both (severe dehydration). Heat exhaustion affects workers and athletes who do not drink enough fluids while working or exercising in hot environments. The affected person often mistakenly believes he or she has the flu. Uncontrolled heat exhaustion can evolve into heatstroke.

Symptoms of heat exhaustion include:

• Severe thirst, fatigue, headache, nausea, vomiting and sometimes diarrhea
• Profuse sweating
• Clammy or pale skin
• Dizziness
• Rapid pulse
• Normal or slightly above normal body temperature.

What to do:

1. Sit or lie down in the shade
2. Drink cool water or a sports drink
3. If persistent, gently apply wet towels and call for emergency medical help.

Heat Cramps
Heat cramps are painful muscular spasms that happen suddenly affecting legs or abdominal muscles. They usually happen after physical activity in people who sweat a lot or have not had enough fluids.

What to do:

1. Sit or lie down in the shade
2. Drink cool water or a sports drink
3. Stretch affected muscles

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IN CASE OF EMERGENCY (ICE) CAMPAIGN

In Case of Emergency (ICE) Campaign

We all carry our mobile phones with names & numbers stored in its memory. If we were to be involved in an accident or were taken ill, the people attending us would have our mobile phone but wouldn't know who to call. Yes, there are hundreds of numbers stored but which one is the contact person in case of an emergency? Hence this In Case of Emergency ('ICE') Campaign.

The concept of 'ICE' is catching on quickly. It is a method of contact during emergency situations. As mobile phones are carried by the majority of the population, all you need to do is store the number of a contact person or persons who should be contacted during emergency under the name 'ICE' ( In Case Of Emergency). The idea was thought up by a paramedic who found that when he went to the scenes of accidents there were always mobile phones with patients but they didn't know which number to call. He therefore thought that it would be a good idea if there was a nationally recognized name for this purpose.

In an emergency situation, Emergency Service personnel and hospital Staff would be able to quickly contact the right person by simply dialing the number you have stored as 'ICE'. For more than one contact name simply enter ICE1, ICE2 and ICE3 etc.

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