Severe weather can happen at any time in Alabama. To help you prepare, The University of Alabama is offering information on severe weather and safety tips during Severe Weather Awareness Week, Feb. 21-25.
During tornado watches and warnings, The University of Alabama has storm shelters and Best Available Refuge Areas, or BARAs, throughout campus for your safety. Before the next severe weather event, take some time to locate the shelters and BARAs nearest you.
The North Campus Storm Shelter is located on the lowest level of the Robert E. Witt Student Activity Center in Presidential Village, while the East Campus Storm Shelter is located behind the Child Development Research Center.
The John H. England Jr. Hall Storm Shelter is located on the basement level of the residence hall.
The Hewson Hall Storm Shelter is located on the first floor of Hewson Hall, and the North Lawn Hall Storm Shelter is located on the first floor of North Lawn Hall. Signs point the way to the classrooms designated as the shelter area. If classes are occurring in these classrooms during a tornado watch, do not interrupt the class. All classrooms will be available for sheltering during a tornado warning.
Best Available Refuge Areas, or BARAs, are located on the ground floor of the Capstone Parking Deck and the Magnolia Parking Deck. Pets are allowed to shelter with their owners in the Magnolia Deck BARA. Read more about sheltering with pets.
The basement of the North Engineering Research Center, or NERC, is also a storm shelter.
If it’s not safe for you to move to one of the shelters or BARAs listed above, each campus building has its own BARA. View the list of BARAs or look on the Building Emergency Plans in each building.
In the fall of 2022, UA will open a storm shelter in the new Tutwiler Hall for residents.
If you are off campus during a tornado warning, storm shelters are located throughout Tuscaloosa County. If you cannot safely reach a storm shelter, seek shelter on the lowest floor in the center of a sturdy 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.
Watch the video below to learn more about sheltering during a storm.