Tornado watch and flash flood watch in effect for North Texas until 11 p.m.

The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch and flash flood watch until 11 p.m for today, Wed., April 9, 2008 -- all campus building representatives are asked to make sure the faculty, staff and students in their buildings are reminded of the building's shelter and evacuation plans.

In the event a severe weather alert is issued for Denton, and damaging hail or high winds appear imminent and especially in the event of a tornado warning, people will need to take immediate shelter.

The National Weather Service issues a tornado watch when weather conditions are right for tornadoes to form.

A tornado warning is issued when a funnel cloud has been spotted by a trained observer or detected on radar.

National Weather Service forecast for today

National Weather Service long term forecast

 

Keeping an eye on the sky

In the event of severe weather in the North Texas region, the UNT community can turn to several sources of information - including the UNT web site, official e-mail messages from the university, 88.1 KNTU-FM, and NTTV - regarding official severe weather warnings, storm tracking, and building emergency plans. If severe weather moves into the Denton area, UNT community members should also listen for the city of Denton warning system located on campus.

When it comes to tornado and other weather dangers, UNT has two things in its favor - massive buildings and an emergency warning system. Speakers are mounted atop three poles on campus. The warning system is tested on the first Wednesday of every month, using the actual warning sound.

If a tornado is spotted near UNT, those speakers would emit a three-minute siren loud enough to be heard across the campus. When the sirens are sounded people on the UNT campus should go to the basement or the first floor of the building they are in. He advises people to seek shelter in an interior hallway or small room, staying away from windows and keeping their heads covered.

Specific tornado emergency plans are in place for campus buildings. Evacuation and emergency procedures are posted by building on the risk management web site.

 

The following are tips for staying safe when off campus:

    At home, go to a basement or first-floor bathroom, closet or other small, windowless room at the center of your house. Get under heavy furniture, if possible, and cover your head with blankets or pillows. Keep windows closed and stay away from them.

    If you're in your car, leave it. Never try to outrun a funnel cloud. Take shelter in the nearest sturdy building or get in a ditch, culvert or other low-lying area, or under a major bridge or overpass if no other shelter is available. Stay away from large trees and metal poles.

    The same applies if you're in a mobile home and have no storm cellar nearby. Mobile homes are easily tossed by winds and damaged by debris during a tornado.

    No matter where you are, determine where you need to go in the event of a tornado before you need to go there.


Media outlets

Television stations:

• KDFW/Fox 4
• KXAS/NBC 5
• WFAA/ABC 8
• KTVT/CBS 11
• KXII/Sherman channel 12
• KTXA/TXA 21
• KUVN/Univision 23
• KDAF/CW33
• WBC/Telemundo 52


Radio stations:

• KNTU-FM 88.1
• KERA-FM 90.1
• KCBI-FM 90.9
• KZPS-FM 92.5
• KLTY-FM 94.9
• KEGL-FM 97.1
• KLUV-FM 98.7
• KWRD- FM 100.7
• WRR-FM 101.1
• KDGE-FM 102.1
• KDMX-FM 102.9
• KVIL-FM 103.7
• KKDA-FM 104.5
• KHKS-FM 106.1
• KKDL-FM 106.7
• KAAM-AM 610
• KSKY- AM 660
• KKDA-AM 730
• WBAP-AM 820
• KRLD-AM 1080
• KFXR-AM 1190
• KTCK -AM 1310

 

Information about road conditions

Individuals who commute long distances to campus may want to contact the Texas Department of Transportation's area hotline for information on road conditions at (800) 452-9292. The 24-hour recording is updated regularly and includes information on highways in Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Kaufman, Navarro and Rockwall counties.

For information on road conditions in other counties, call the Texas Department of Transportation directly at (800) 452-9292. View a detailed report of road closures that you customize based on your location.

To access the Broadcast Notification System or to reach the university switchboard, call (940) 565-2000 or metro (817) 267-3731.