What to do when a tornado watch is issued:

When a tornado watch is issued for Tuscaloosa County, pay attention to the weather and be ready to move to a safe place if a tornado warning is issued. The Capstone Best Available Refuge Area (BARA), Drummond Lyon Hall Storm Shelter (for building occupants), East Campus Storm Shelter, Greek Assembly Hall Storm Shelter, Hewson Hall Storm ShelterJohn H. England, Jr. Hall Storm Shelter, Julia Tutwiler Hall Storm Shelter (for residents), Magnolia Best Available Refuge Area (BARA), North Campus Storm Shelter, North Lawn Hall, basement of the North Engineering Research Center (NERC), and the University Services Campus Community Safe Room will be available for students, faculty and staff until the watch expires. The Magnolia BARA can accept pets with their owners. Read more about sheltering with pets in the Magnolia Deck BARA.

What to do when a tornado warning  is issued:

Seek shelter immediately. Classes are immediately suspended. For your safety and the safety of others, please follow the guidance of University officials while you are in University shelters. If you cannot safely travel to a University shelter, seek shelter in the closest campus Best Available Refuge Area (BARA)* location. A list of BARA locations can be found here. The BARA location can also be found on the Building Emergency Plan posted near entry/exit locations and within the UA Safety mobile app.

Storm shelters are also located throughout Tuscaloosa County. Visit Tuscaloosa County EMA website to find the closest storm shelter to your location.

If you are not on campus or cannot safely reach a storm shelter, seek shelter on the lowest floor in the center of the building and stay away from windows. Do not seek shelter in a vehicle or a mobile home. If you live in an apartment building, seek shelter on the lowest level. Do not remain in apartments on upper floors.

*The University of Alabama has identified Best Available Refuge Areas (BARAs) in many buildings on campus. These locations are pre-identified as the best sheltering option in that building for building occupants who are unable to reach a designated storm shelter. Not all BARAs are available during a severe weather event. The sheltering locations listed below are opened any time a tornado watch or warning is issued for campus.

Sheltering Locations:

Capstone Best Available Refuge Area (BARA) Located within the Capstone Parking Deck on the west side of the lowest level.

Drummond Lyon Hall Storm Shelter *For building occupants, located in rooms 1003 and adjacent restrooms (1004 and 1005).

East Campus Storm Shelter Located behind the Judy Bonner Child Development Center.

Greek Assembly Hall Storm Shelter Located on Campus Drive East between the Recreation Center (Rec) and Bryce Lawn
Apartments

Hewson Hall Storm Shelter Located on the first floor. Follow signage. Please note: Classes may be in session. If instruction is occurring in these classrooms during a tornado watch, do not interrupt the class. You may seek shelter in any classroom not being used for instruction during a tornado watch. During a tornado warning, all of the identified classrooms are available.

John H. England Jr. Hall Storm Shelter Located on the basement level of the dormitory.

Julia Tutwiler Hall Storm Shelter Located on the west side, lowest level of the building, available to residents.

Magnolia Best Available Refuge Area (BARA) Located within the Magnolia Parking Deck on the west side of the lowest level. BARA can accept pets with their owners.

North Campus Storm Shelter Located on the lowest level of the Robert E. Witt Student Activity Center in Presidential Village.

North Engineering Research Center (NERC) Basement is available for students and employees. From the main entry doors, go downstairs to the lower level and thru the door to the basement.

North Lawn Hall Storm Shelter Located inside classrooms 1010, 1011, 1014, 1015, and 1018. Please note: Classes may be in session. If instruction is occurring in these classrooms during a tornado watch, do not interrupt the class. You may seek shelter in any classroom not being used for instruction during a tornado watch. During a tornado warning, all of the identified classrooms are available for refuge.

University Services Campus Community Safe Room Located around the oval between the Human Resources Building and the Campus Support Services building.

Storm Shelter Parking:

Storm shelters and BARAs are available to all students, faculty and staff who live on or off campus. Once a tornado watch is issued, parking enforcement staff only monitor for safety violations like blocking a roadway, fire-hydrant, access aisle or fire-lane; as well as parking on the grass, double parking or disability parking. Students are encouraged to use any legal parking in proximity to a shelter or BARA. Once the tornado watch has ended, ample time is allowed to return to correct parking zones, if applicable. Please refer to the campus map for all parking options on campus.

What to do when a tornado warning is issued:

If a tornado warning is issued, you should avoid traveling and seek shelter immediately. Classes are immediately suspended. For your safety and the safety of others, please follow the guidance of University officials while you are in the shelter.

Seek shelter in the closest Best Available Refuge Area (BARA) location if you are unable to make it to a storm shelter. A list of BARA locations can be found here. The BARA location can also be found on the Building Emergency Plan posted near entry/exit locations and within the UA Safety mobile app.

Storm shelters are also located throughout Tuscaloosa County. Visit Tuscaloosa County EMA website to find the closest storm shelter to your location. If you are not on campus and cannot safely reach a storm shelter, you should seek shelter on the lowest floor in the center of the building and stay away from windows. Do not seek shelter in a vehicle or a mobile home. If you live in an apartment building, seek shelter on the lowest level. Do not remain in apartments on upper floors.

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Best Available Refuge Areas (BARAs)

Sheltering in Place