Severe Weather Expected Monday Afternoon–Evening
WashU Emergency Management is monitoring the potential for severe weather on Monday.
What we are confident will happen:
- Storms are expected to develop Monday afternoon into the early evening.
- Initial storms may be supercells capable of very large hail and strong tornadoes.
- Storms may transition into a more organized line over time.
- As storms evolve, the primary threat may shift to damaging winds, with the potential for embedded tornadoes.
What remains uncertain:
- The timing and speed of storm transition from discrete supercells to a line.
- How long the tornado risk remains elevated before transitioning.
What this means for WashU:
- Conditions may change quickly during the afternoon and evening hours.
- All members of the campus community should remain weather aware and prepared to take action.
Preparedness actions:
Monitor official updates from WashU Emergency Management.
Review your nearest severe weather refuge area location.
Ensure WashU Safe App notifications are enabled.
Know Where To Go
Severe weather can happen quickly. Knowing where to go before it happens is one of the most important steps you can take to stay safe.
The #SafePlaceSelfie campaign is designed to help you identify Severe Weather Refuge Areas (SWRAs) in the spaces where you learn, work, and live. These areas—typically interior rooms, lower levels, or designated shelter spaces—are identified to provide protection during severe weather events such as tornadoes or damaging winds.
Why it matters
During a severe weather warning, seconds matter. Taking time now to locate your safe place helps reduce uncertainty and allows you to act quickly and confidently when it counts.
What you should do
- Identify the Severe Weather Refuge Area in your building
- Take note of how to quickly access that space
- Snap a #SafePlaceSelfie to reinforce your awareness and share with others
Not on campus? It still applies.
Preparedness doesn’t stop when you leave campus. If you are working or studying from home, take a moment to identify your safest location—such as a basement or an interior room away from windows—and make a plan.
Preparedness starts with awareness. Awareness leads to action.
Together, we are WashU Ready.
Be Ready for Tornadoes and Severe Thunderstorms
Preparedness is a shared responsibility. Understand the RiskS.
Severe weather in the St. Louis region can develop quickly. WashU Emergency Management wants you to be prepared and know how to act when tornadoes or destructive thunderstorms are in the forecast.
EPC and KMC program information
The Emergency Preparedness Coordinator (EPC) and Key Management Contact (KMC) program is a university-wide initiative, designed to help each department or school prepare to respond to emergencies on campus. Department managers should designate an EPC and KMC, who will attend trainings on how to assist with immediate response actions during an emergency.
Training
The focus of the Emergency Management Training Program is to provide appropriate and relevant training courses to personnel that may have roles and responsibilities in a disaster event.
News for now
Resources for WashU Employees
WashU employees and their household members can find emotional resources and support following the Feb. 24 incident on the Danforth Campus.
WashU Safe app
The university safety app, WashU Safe, offers enhanced features such as Friend Walk, Mobile Bluelight, safety notifications, access to emergency procedures and MORE!
Follow us on social media!
