Bad Weather

The safety and well-being of our students, faculty and staff is our first priority. The University of Nebraska Omaha (UNO) has a number of methods to communicate emergency messages or update the university on campus closings or emergency status.

Explore the links below for helpful information

  

 

Be Prepared

During severe weather season, be prepared to take precautionary measures in the instance of inclement conditions like tornadoes, straight-line winds or hail.


Monitor Local Weather

When there is a threat for severe weather, you can monitor local news channels or websites to stay informed about changing conditions:

News Media
KETV
KMTV
KPTM
WOWT
Omaha World-Herald  
The Weather Channel

  

What to Do In Case of a Tornado Watch or Warning

Tornado Watches and Warnings are issued by the National Weather Service when the probability exists that a significant threat could develop over a wide area.

A TORNADO WATCH means that tornadoes are likely to develop. 

A TORNADO WARNING means that a tornado actually has been sighted somewhere in the general area, you need to take immediate shelter.  Campus shelter locations are listed below.

If the warning sirens are sounded or a tornado is sighted approaching campus:

  • Proceed immediately to the interior hallway on the lowest floor or basement, unless there are boilers or electrical switch-gear areas housed in the basement.

  • If time does not permit, get into the safest area of your classroom or office (the inside wall away from the doors and windows.)

  • Avoid windows, auditoriums, gymnasiums or other structures with free-span roofs and boiler or electrical switch-gear areas.

  • Take shelter underneath your desk or any heavy furniture available.

  • Assume a curled position protecting your head and eyes.

  • All persons should remain in the shelter areas until advised the warning has ended.

  

Campus Tornado Shelter Areas

 
Residence Hall  Shelter Area 
Maverick Village Basement of Commons Building     
University Village Weber Fine Arts lower level
Scott Court First floor hallway
Scott Residence Hall                 First floor north hallway
Scott Village  Basement of the Commons Building 
 

Building  Shelter Area
Alumni Center  Lowel level, rooms 030-032, Bootstrapper Hall (107)
Allwine Hall First floor, west hallway between rooms 114-138
Annexes Lower level, not in furnance/boiler room
Arts & Sciences Hall  First floor hallway, interior rooms on south side if unlocked
Biomechanics Research Bldg.  Lower level hallway between room 113-137
CPACS Lower level northeast rooms 003, A, B, E, F, G, H. If lower level is secured, use the first floor north hallway between rooms 111-102, if open use rooms on south side of hallway
Center Building Garage
Central Utilities Under stairs lower level
Comm. Engagement Center  Garage
Durham Science Center Use northeast and southeast stairwells to reach the lower level hallway
East Garage North lower level (Lot T) stairwells
Eppley Administration Bldg. Lower level hallways
HPER Bldg. 2nd lower level hallway between rooms 002-017
Kayser Hall First floor except mechanical rooms; stairwell
Library First floor area by the restrooms and elevator
Mammel Hall Restrooms on all levels (reinforced concrete columns); first floor hallway between rooms 115 and 121
Milo Bail Student Center     

Basement of the Bookstore

First floor hallways by restrooms in southwest corner

Hallways and rooms in northwest corner
PKCC Lower level garage
Peter Kiewit Institute (PKI) First floor hallway between rooms 116-146 and 172-193
Roskens Hall  Lower level auditorium, rooms 002-009
Sapp Fieldhouse Mens and womens locker rooms
Sculpture/Ceramics Studio CEC Garage, southwest entrance to CEC; HPER second lower level hallway
Strauss Performing Arts Center First floor north hallway; Milo Bail has shelter areas via the northwest entrance to Milo Bail
Weber Fine Arts Bldg. Lower level
West Garage Lower level stairwells

 

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Closures or Delays

The decision to close the university because of adverse weather conditions will be made by the UNO Chancellor or their designee.

Should a bad weather situation arise during the workday, this decision will be made in consultation with a Weather Emergency Committee to be established by the Chancellor. This committee shall have representatives from University Communications, Facilities Management and Planning, the Vice Chancellor’s Office for Academic and Student Affairs, Student Services/Registrar’s Office, Human Resources, and others as input is required.

  

Standard Operating Procedure

Unless otherwise indicated via public announcement, UNO will be open and all activities will be conducted as usual.

As a matter of policy, most of the Omaha news media will not air school openings.

   

Bad Weather-Related Announcement Options

The decision and announcement could be one of the following alternatives. Each alternative may include a statement concerning off-campus and evening classes (defined as those classes beginning at or after 4 P.M.).

With each option, online classes will continue as scheduled as they are delivered digitally and can be accessed without travel to the UNO campus.

  
OPTION 1

All on-campus classes and events will be cancelled and offices and buildings at UNO will be closed. No one except essential personnel is to report for work.

Online Classes

Online classes will continue as scheduled as they are delivered digitally and can be accessed without travel to the UNO campus.

Personnel

It is the responsibility of various department heads to determine who the essential personnel are and, if possible, if they should report to work. The number of essential personnel necessary may depend on whether the bad weather occurs during a student vacation period or during the semester. Departments that normally need to have essential personnel on duty are Public Safety, Facilities Management and Planning, and KVNO Radio/KYNE-TV. Other departments who identify personnel as essential should contact the Director of Human Resources for review.

  
    
OPTION 2

All classes at UNO will be cancelled, however, other business will be conducted as usual.

Online Classes

Online classes will continue as scheduled as they are delivered digitally and can be accessed without travel to the UNO campus.

Personnel

Staff personnel should report for duty.

 
  
OPTION 3

All morning classes at UNO have been cancelled and only essential personnel should report for work.

A decision regarding afternoon classes and work schedules will be announced mid-morning, and released to the news media so they can help with timely notification.

Students, faculty, and staff should take responsibility for listening to local broadcast news media for that update.

Online Classes

Online classes will continue as scheduled as they are delivered digitally and can be accessed without travel to the UNO campus.

Personnel

Only essential personnel should report for work.

  
  
OPTION 4

UNO will cancel classes and dismiss staff at a specified time. 

Online Classes

Online classes will continue as scheduled as they are delivered digitally and can be accessed without travel to the UNO campus.

Personnel

Essential personnel shall remain on duty or report to work as scheduled.

 

 

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UNO Weather Notifications

Any announcement regarding a bad weather closure or delay will be conveyed via the following media:

  • The university homepage in the form of an emergency banner
  • All-campus email
  • Emergency alert text messages
  • The university's official social media accounts on Facebook and Twitter
  • Emergency Information Line (402.554.2255)

 

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