Officials Monitoring Powerful Storm System

Update: Feb. 24, 2016: 11:30 a.m.

The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for Durham County until 7 p.m. today.

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

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.

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.

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. 

Update: Feb. 24, 2016: 11:13 a.m.

Due to expectations of rapidly deteriorating weather and potential for 100 mile per hour winds, the Duke University Marine Lab will close at noon today.  

Afternoon classes and seminars are canceled. Essential staff will remain on the island and staff will be available in the dining hall during the lunch hour to discuss safety and answer any questions. All other personnel have been advised to leave.

Duke community members at the Marine Lab are encouraged to monitor email and text messages for future updates.

Update: Feb. 24, 2016: 7:20 a.m.

The National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory for Durham and the surrounding area due to warm front that will bring scattered thunderstorms, straight-line winds and the small chance of a tornado. 

Forecasters suggest that the period of greatest weather instability will be between 1-5 p.m. today with the most significant risks being strong winds. Wind gusts of between 40-50 mph are expected, but isolated areas could see gust of up to 60-70 mph. Duke officials have worked with Facilities Management to secure construction sites and machinery, and building managers should secure or bring inside any loose items outside such chairs and tables. 

In the event of a tornado watch, the weather service suggests that people should be on the lookout for threatening weather conditions and watch for later statements and possible warnings. In the event of a tornado warning, which indicates a tornado has been sighted or indicated on radar, Duke will send a text and email notification to students, faculty and staff. If the warning area includes Duke's main campus, the outdoor sirens will also be activated along with text and email notifications to direct individuals to seek shelter immediately.

For more information about what to do in the event of a tornado, visit the DukeALERT website. 

Members of the Duke community are encouraged to use caution while traveling on and around campus during heavy rain or winds and report any potential safety-related issues, such as downed trees or power lines, immediately to Duke Police at 919-684-2444. Additional updates will be posted as conditions warrant.

Original Post: Feb, 23, 2016: 1:30 p.m.

Duke officials are closely monitoring a powerful storm system that could bring severe thunderstorms and tornado-like intensity winds to the area on Wednesday.

A squall line is expected to move across central North Carolina between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., bringing pockets of straight-line wind gusts that may exceed 70 mph, according to the National Weather Service. Isolated tornados are possible, and heavy rain could lead to minor urban flooding.

Community members are encouraged to stay informed and monitor news and information about Wednesday's weather. To learn more about what to do in the event of a tornado, please visit this DukeALERT page.

Additional updates on the storm system will be posted as conditions warrant.

If Duke activates the Severe Weather and Emergency Conditions policy, officials will send notification via the DukeALERT system, including text message, email, the DukeALERT website and the web alert bar. A message also will be recorded on the severe weather/emergency conditions telephone line at 919-684-INFO (4636). Faculty and staff who are not already registered should sign up for text message updates from the DukeALERT system.

During times of severe weather, some staff positions require on-site presence to continue operations. All jobs should be assigned a service category by the manager to ensure continuous operations of patient care, student support and research functions. Managers should ensure staff members are aware of the service category for their position and how they will be notified if the severe weather policy is activated. The three categories are:

• Essential Service: during severe weather/emergency conditions, essential service staff report or remain at work. Transportation service and childcare services may be provided for those required to work during severe weather/emergency conditions. 
• Reserve Service: during severe weather/emergency conditions, reserve service staff are assigned a status at the time of severe weather/emergency condition.
• Delayed Service: during severe weather/emergency conditions, delayed service staff do not report to work or remain at work.

More information about the severe weather policy, including answers to frequently asked questions, is available at the DukeALERT emergency website.