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Current Weather
Updated Monday, March 18, 2013 4:13 p.m.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
ALC015-019-121-182200-
/O.NEW.KBMX.SV.W.0039.130318T2101Z-130318T2200Z/
BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
401 PM CDT MON MAR 18 2013
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BIRMINGHAM HAS ISSUED A
* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR...
CALHOUN COUNTY IN EAST CENTRAL ALABAMA...
CHEROKEE COUNTY IN NORTHEAST ALABAMA...
TALLADEGA COUNTY IN EAST CENTRAL ALABAMA...
* UNTIL 500 PM CDT
* AT 401 PM CDT...EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT REPORTED A LINE OF SEVERE
THUNDERSTORMS PRODUCING QUARTER SIZE HAIL...AND DESTRUCTIVE WINDS
IN EXCESS OF 70 MPH. THESE STORMS WERE LOCATED ALONG A LINE
EXTENDING FROM SAND ROCK TO HOKES BLUFF TO ALEXANDRIA TO TALLADEGA
TO CHILDERSBURG...AND MOVING EAST AT 65 MPH.
* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
SAKS...WEST END-COBB TOWN...COBB TOWN...CENTRE...SYLACAUGA...LITTLE
RIVER CANYON NATIONAL PRESERVE...FORT MCCLELLAN AND JACKSONVILLE.
THIS INCLUDES...
INTERSTATE 20 EXIT NUMBERS 165 THROUGH 191...
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
THESE STORMS HAVE A HISTORY OF PRODUCING WIDESPREAD WIND DAMAGE.
THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION. SEEK SHELTER NOW INSIDE A
STURDY STRUCTURE AND STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS.
&&
A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM CDT MONDAY EVENING FOR
SOUTHEASTERN ALABAMA.
TO REPORT SEVERE WEATHER...
CALL 1-800-856-0758 OR TWEET YOUR REPORT USING HASHTAG ALWX
LAT...LON 3453 8552 3397 8540 3387 8564 3381 8559
3363 8565 3350 8590 3329 8598 3330 8612
3310 8618 3310 8648 3319 8650 3330 8636
3339 8638 3354 8619 3369 8621 3377 8605
3384 8607 3392 8597 3394 8574 3423 8585
TIME...MOT...LOC 2101Z 276DEG 57KT 3423 8571 3403 8579
3376 8584 3348 8598 3326 8629
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH OUTLINE UPDATE FOR WS 52 NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER NORMAN OK 130 PM CDT MON MAR 18 2013 SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 52 IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM CDT FOR THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS ALC007-009-015-019-029-033-043-049-055-057-059-063-065-071-073- 075-077-079-083-089-093-095-103-107-115-117-119-121-125-127-133- 190200- /O.NEW.KWNS.SV.A.0052.130318T1830Z-130319T0200Z/ AL . ALABAMA COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE BIBB BLOUNT CALHOUN CHEROKEE CLEBURNE COLBERT CULLMAN DEKALB ETOWAH FAYETTE FRANKLIN GREENE HALE JACKSON JEFFERSON LAMAR LAUDERDALE LAWRENCE LIMESTONE MADISON MARION MARSHALL MORGAN PICKENS SHELBY ST. CLAIR SUMTER TALLADEGA TUSCALOOSA WALKER WINSTON $$
How will I be notified during Severe Weather and Other Campus Emergencies?
JSU Emergency Notification Methods
The following methods may be used to notify the campus community of various emergencies that may impact students, staff, and faculty on Jacksonville State University Campus.
The JSU Emergency Alert System is JSU's emergency mass notification system that is capable of sending thousands of messages within minutes by emailing, text messaging and phone calls. The system will only be used when there is a severe threat to public safety and health of the entire campus that has not been contained or controlled and when immediate action is required. The JSU Emergency Alert System phone number reflected on your caller I.D. will be 256-782-8558. Program this number into your phone so you will immediately recognize it as coming from JSU Emergency Alert System.
JSU has outdoor tornado warning sirens that are activated by the Calhoun County Emergency Management Agency during tornado warnings for the county. The outdoor tornado sirens are only intended to be heard by persons who are located outdoors.
JSU campus-wide e-mail notification system will send follow-up statements to all faculty, staff and students on campus concerning campus-wide general announcements, school closures, and inclement weather.
JSU Home page - Jacksonville State University's official Web site for weather closings and emergency event information (www.jsu.edu).
NOAA Weather Radio - Provides 24/7 all-hazard watches and warnings for incidents
such as floods, tornadoes, thunderstorms, winter storms, train derailments, AMBER alerts and terrorist attacks.
Internet Weather Related Sites: http://www.weather.com, http://www.emergencyemail.org,
http://www.wunderground.com - Weather related Internet sites that are capable of sending email updates for your specific zip codes by subscribing to the sites.
RSS Feed - Subscribe to receive updates via RSS either through GEM or athttp://rss.blackboardconnect.com/181884/JSUAlerts/feed.xml
Social Media - Messages sent via JSU's Emergency Alert System will automatically post to JSU's officialFacebook page and Twitter account
Important Reminders
• Call the JSU Police at (256) 782-6000 or 911 for all campus emergencies
• For non-emergencies, call JSU Police at (256) 782-5050
• Go to www.jsu.edu for more information during an emergency
• Program (866) 665-4384 into your cell phone as "JSU Emergency Alert System" to recognize calls from JSU Emergency Alert System
Have You Signed Up for E-Alert?
Jacksonville State University encourages all students, faculty and staff to update their emergency contact number(s) in the JSU Emergency Alert System, the University's primary emergency notification system. Although college campuses are usually safe places, emergencies and disasters do occur. JSU is committed to keeping the campus community as safe as possible through effective communication prior to, during and following emergencies. JSU Emergency Alert allows students, faculty and staff to receive emergency messages via phone, text message, e-mail, and social media. Both voice and text messages may be sent to cell phones. To edit your information go to jsu.bbcportal.com.
Other than periodic tests, this system will ONLY be used for emergencies requiring immediate action on the part of the JSU community.
Some Types of Messages and Their Explanation
| Emergency Message | Explanation of Message |
| JSU campus-wide emergency. Do not enter the campus. If you are at JSU, lock yourself into a room immediately. Everything is cancelled. Wait for additional instructions. | There is a very serious emergency on campus. Do not enter the campus. Classes and all activities are cancelled. There is a serious threat to your safety on the campus. |
| JSU building emergency at _____________. Leave that area immediately. Go to ___________. If you are off campus, do not enter the campus. Wait for additional instructions. | There may be an incident such as a bomb threat to a specific location. Or a hazardous material spill, fire, or a condition requiring immediate action. The location will be included in the message. |
| JSU attention: An emergency condition exists. Wait for additional instructions. Go tohttp://www.jsunews.com/ for more information. | This is a general emergency alert notice. It will be used for conditions like flooding or a utility failure. It may also be used for an emergency near JSU that may affect us. |
| JSU severe weather warning. Wait for additional instructions. (Tornado Warning -Seek Tornado Shelter Immediately) | A severe weather warning has been issued for Calhoun County. This includes warnings for thunderstorms, severe winds, blizzards, tornados, etc. A location will be included in the message, such as the "basement." |
| CSEPP Alert-Follow instructions from building manager or tune to local radio for instructions Wait for additional instructions. (Seek Shelter or evacuate area) | Chemical accident has been reported by the Anniston Army Depot. Area residents may shelter in place or follow evacuation procedures. On campus shelters are top floor of the Library or Leon Cole Auditorium. |
| JSU emergency is over. All clear. Emergency is over. Go to http://www.jsunews.com/ for more information. | This message is sent when the emergency condition is over. |
| JSU emergency alert system test. This is a test of the JSU Emergency Warning System. No action is needed. | This test message will be sent when the system is tested. This will be at least once per quarter or more frequently as needed. |
To change notification preferences follow the steps below:
1. Go to jsu.bbcportal.com. Click the Sign Me Up link, and enter your Name, JSU Email Address, and choose a Password.
2. After you click Continue, you will receive an email with instructions on how to complete sign-up. (Parents will be required to enter their student’s JSU ID number)
3. Click on Edit My Contact Information. From here you can add or edit phone numbers and email addresses, as well as choose whether you want to receive voice calls or text messages for each phone number.
4. Select any JSU Groups you would like to receive Notifications from by making selections under the Subscriptions tab (JSU Alert is for emergency communications)
JSU's Emergency Operations Plan
Jacksonville State University’s Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) establishes policies, procedures, roles and responsibilities, and an organizational structure for responding to major emergencies that may impact the campus. The EOP incorporates operating procedures from the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and Incident Command System (ICS) for handling emergencies. NIMS establishes a uniform set of processes and procedures that emergency responders at all levels of government use to conduct response operations. The EOP has been designed as a strategic plan to provide the administrative procedures necessary to cope with campus emergencies. The University's overall ability to respond to an emergency also relies upon individual building emergency plans and department continuity of operations plans (COOP).
JSU's EOP establishes clear guidelines detailing the appropriate response to disasters and crisis situations. The goal of this plan is to limit the loss of life and property in the event of an emergency or crisis that affects the operations of JSU. The proper use of available resources and personnel is critical to the successful management of emergency operations. The President of JSU or his or her designated representative is responsible for declaring a state of emergency. Once this state is declared, all students, faculty and staff are to adhere to these guidelines. It is imperative to remember that these procedures are guidelines and should be used as a flexible tool in responding to a variety of contingencies.
The 2010 Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) PDF
For complete Emergency Information, visit the Jacksonville State University Police Department online
