Tornado Issued Watch for Durham County

TO:  Vice Presidents, Vice Provosts, Deans, Directors, Department Heads, and Managers
FROM:  Kyle Cavanaugh, Vice President of Administration, Emergency Coordinator
RE:  Tornado Issued Watch for Durham County

The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for Durham County, including Duke's main campus and other Triangle areas, until 5 p.m. Friday.

A watch means conditions are favorable for the development of tornadoes in and close to the watch area.

At this time, Duke is operating under normal conditions, and there are no plans to activate the severe weather policy for Duke University and Duke University Health System.

The National Weather Service forecast is calling for severe thunderstorms primarily between 12 p.m. and 10 p.m. Friday. Between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. a squall line will be crossing the Triangle. The main severe weather potential hazards will be damaging straight-line winds, large hail, torrential downpours, and a few tornadoes.

During a tornado watch, the weather service suggests that people should be on the lookout for threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible warnings. For more information about Duke's emergency response plan for tornados, visit the DukeALERT website.

In the event of a tornado warning, which indicates a tornado has been sighted or indicated on radar, Duke officials will send a text and email notification to students, faculty and staff.  If the warning area includes Duke's main campus, the sirens will also be activated along with text and email notifications to direct individuals to seek shelter immediately.

Additional updates will be communicated as needed.