Officials Monitoring Potential Severe Weather

Duke officials are closely monitoring a weather system moving across the south that has included severe thunderstorms, damaging winds and reports of tornadoes. The system is expected to pass through Durham and the surrounding area between 5 - 9 p.m. Currently, no tornado watches or warnings have been issued for this 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 a tornado watch is issued for this area, an article will be posted on Duke Today and the level 2 alert bar will be activated on Duke websites. 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 sirens will also be activated along with text and email notifications to direct individuals to seek shelter immediately.  "We encourage members of the Duke community to monitor Duke Today for updates during the afternoon and evening as conditions change," said Kyle Cavanaugh, vice president for administration and Duke's emergency coordinator. For more information about Duke's emergency response plan for tornadoes, visit the DukeALERT website.