Natural Disaster and Inclement Weather

Earthquake

INDOORS

• Stay indoors. Do not exit the building or use elevators.
• Take cover underneath a table, a desk or in a doorway, if possible.
• Stay away from all windows and large glass objects.
• Avoid being underneath objects such as lights, wall hangings and other items that may fall.
• Help direct people with special needs to a safe place, if necessary.
• Wheelchair-bound individuals should lock the chair's brakes.

OUTDOORS

• Move away from trees, buildings, walls and power lines.
• Drop to your knees and get into a fetal position. Close your eyes and cross your arms over the back of your neck for protection.
• Remain in position until the shaking has stopped.

AFTER SHAKING STOPS

• Do not use cell phones, except to report serious injuries.
• Assist in the building evacuation of people with special needs, if safe to do so.
• Tune radios to an emergency broadcast or local radio stations for news updates and instructions.
• Be prepared to evacuate if instructed to do so. (The decision to evacuate from campus will be based on the severity of the earthquake and damage to buildings.)
• AUS Security will provide instructions for immediate actions by means of door-to-door alerts, loud speakers on security vehicles, fire alarms or bull-horns.
• If instructed to evacuate, see the Evacuation plan.
• Do not enter any building that is deemed or looks unsafe.

Thunderstorms and Microbursts

INDOORS

• Stay indoors. Do not exit the building or use elevators. You could be trapped in them if the power is lost.
• Stay away from all windows and large glass objects.
• Crouch down and cover your head. Interior stairwells are usually good places to take shelter, and if not crowded, allow you to get to a lower level quickly.
• Avoid being underneath objects such as lights, wall hangings and other items that may fall.
• Remain inside until the storm has passed or until you are cleared to leave.
• Do not use matches or lighters, in case there are leaking natural gas pipes or fuel tanks nearby.
• Help direct people with special needs to a safe place, if necessary.
• If instructed to evacuate, see the Evacuation plan.

OUTDOORS

• Move away from trees, buildings, walls and power lines.
• Seek the lowest possible ground, i.e., a ditch or small trench. Lying flat in a ditch or low-lying area may be the only option available. Note: Never enter an opening or trench where a cave in or flooding may be possible.
• Do not use matches or lighters, in case of leaking gas pipes or fuel tanks.
• Remain in position until noise and high winds have stopped.
• Do not enter any building that is deemed or looks unsafe.
• AUS Security will provide instructions for immediate actions by means of door-to-door alerts, loud speakers on security vehicles, fire alarms or bull-horns.

Hail Storms

• Seek protective shelter immediately.
• Remain indoors or under protective shelter until hail has stopped, usually 5-10 minutes.

Lightning

• Seek protective shelter immediately.
• If outdoors, do not stand underneath tall isolated objects. Avoid being higher than the surrounding landscape. Seek shelter in a low area under a thick growth of small trees. In open areas, seek low areas such as a ravine or valley.
• Get off or away from open water as well as metal equipment or small metal vehicles such as motorcycles, bicycles, golf carts, etc. Stay away from wire fences, clotheslines, metal pipes and rails. If you are in a group in the open, spread out, keeping people several meters apart.
• Remember: lightning may strike some kilometers from the parent cloud. If you feel your hair stand on end, lightning may be about to strike you. Drop to your knees and BEND FORWARD, putting your hands on your knees. Do not lie flat on the ground.