UPDATE: Tornado WATCH Canceled

Contact: Baylor University Media & Public Relations, 254-710-1961
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6:06PM UPDATE: Tornado Watch Canceled

WACO, Texas (April 28, 2023) - The National Weather Service has canceled the Tornado Watch for Waco and McLennan County.

2:48PM UPDATE: Baylor Closing Early Due to Severe Weather Outlook

WACO, Texas (April 28, 2023) - Baylor University offices will close early at 3:30 p.m. today (Friday, April 28, 2023), and no classes will be held on campus after 3:30 p.m., due to severe weather predicted to move through the Waco area, including the Baylor campus, this afternoon and evening.

At this time, the National Weather Service has placed Waco and McLennan County under a Tornado WATCH until 8 p.m., which includes the potential for tornados, large hail and damaging winds.

UNIVERSITY EVENING EVENTS: All University evening events and activities have been canceled for tonight. Baylor Athletics will post any changes to its schedule on the athletics website and social media.

ON-CAMPUS RESIDENTIAL STUDENTS: Dining services and schedules could be interrupted. Please continue to monitor the weather and take appropriate actions as needed.

PREPARE NOW: As you monitor the weather, take steps now to be prepared and watch for Baylor Alert text and email messages sent to your cellphone and Baylor email for updated information and/or actions to take. If a tornado is imminent, the University also will activate its on-campus sirens. Be ready to act quickly if a warning is issued or you suspect a tornado is approaching.

Normal operations will resume on Saturday.

1:30PM UPDATE: Tornado WATCH in Effect Until 8 p.m. TONIGHT for Waco, McLennan County

WACO, Texas (April 28, 2023) – The National Weather Service has issued a Tornado WATCH for Central Texas, including Waco and McLennan County, effective until 8 p.m. CDT tonight (Friday, April 28, 2023). Tornadoes, with damaging winds and hail are possible in and near the watch area, which includes the Baylor Waco campus.

As you remain aware of today’s severe weather possibility, we ask that you please review and discuss your emergency plans. Baylor’s tornado safety procedure guide is available here.

• Check supplies, make sure your phone is charged and check the safe space in your home, apartment or residence hall.
• In residence halls, Severe Weather Assembly Areas are identified on Building Emergency Plan maps throughout each building and also available via an online map.
• Be ready to act quickly if a warning is issued or you suspect a tornado is approaching.

If a Tornado WARNING is issued:

There are multiple ways the City of Waco, McLennan County and Baylor University alert their respective communities in the event of a tornado and the actions to take:

• Tornado Sirens: The City of Waco-McLennan County Office of Emergency Management operates a network of sirens located throughout city and county. Baylor University also operates its outdoor notification system, including sirens on its campus. The sirens are activated during a tornado warning or if a tornado is imminent.
• Baylor Alert: Baylor also will activate its multi-tiered Baylor Alert emergency notification system, which includes emergency email and text messages, audio message to a cellphone or other telephone, outdoor/indoor notification systems on campus, Baylor’s main website, official Baylor social media accounts at official Baylor social media accounts at Facebook, @Baylor on Twitter and @BaylorUniversity on Instagram. More information about the Baylor Alert emergency notification system is available here.
• Local media, weather radios and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA).

Safety Procedures:

Indoors

• Seek shelter immediately on a ground floor, in an interior room. (Severe Weather Assembly Areas are identified on Building Emergency Plan maps throughout each building and also available via an online map.)
• Do not use elevators.
• Stay away from windows, doors and outside walls.
• Avoid any wide-span roof areas such as auditorium, gymnasiums, dining halls and large hallways.

Residence Halls

• Residence Hall Directors and available staff will gather all residents to the Severe Weather Assembly Areas (identified on Building Emergency Plan maps throughout the facility).
• Residents should bring blankets for protection from debris.
• Remain in the Severe Weather Assembly Areas until the tornado passes, and an All Clear is issued via Baylor Alert.

Outdoors

• Seek indoor shelter, if possible.
• Parked motor vehicles are unsafe.
• If indoor shelter is not available and there is not time for escape, lie flat in a ditch or low spot.
• If you are on a flat ground and are caught in the path of a tornado, always move at right angles to its path.

Individuals with mobility/impairments or physical disabilities:

Supervisory personnel and course instructors are responsible for identifying and escorting individuals with mobility impairments or physical disabilities located in their offices/facilities or classrooms to safety in the event of a tornado warning.

The elevators may be used to transport individuals with mobility impairments or physical disabilities and their escorts to a safer location. Visually impaired and hearing-impaired individuals may be escorted down the stairs but may require assistance in moving in crowded staircases and in finding a safer location.

In the event of a power failure, individuals who are unable to use the stairs and their escorts should move to an interior location without windows and call the Baylor University Police Department (254-710-2222) who will notify the appropriate emergency personnel with the location.