The term, shelter-in-place, means to immediately seek shelter and remain there during an emergency rather than evacuate. Shelter-in-place should only be used when evacuation is not safe. The decision to shelter-in-place will be announced by W&M officials. In making such decisions the university consults with appropriate entities such as state and local officials and the National Weather Service. There are only a few emergency situations requiring that we shelter-in-place. These include such incidents as a tornado warning, a radiation release from Surry Nuclear Power Plant, a hazardous material spill or a violent person. While similar in concept, each incident type does have unique shelter-in-place considerations. Familiarization with these concepts will help with personal protection decision making.
When it is understood that an eminently dangerous situation exists and evacuation is inadvisable, notification will be given to shelter-in-place. This announcement will be made using the university's Emergency Notification System as soon as it is feasible in order to provide the campus community as much time as possible to take protective actions.
The following recommendations should be considered:
Tornado / Severe Weather
- Basement or Substantial Masonry walls
- Small Interior Room or Stairwell
- No Windows / Glass
Hazardous Material
- Small Interior Room or Stairwell (For a chemical hazard, select a room above ground level.)
- Seal Windows / Door Cracks
- Turn Off Ventilation
Power Plant Release
- Basement or Substantial Masonry walls
- Seal Windows / Door Cracks
- Turn Off Ventilation
Armed Threat
- No Windows / Glass (Exterior windows can be an escape route if in the same building as the threat. Avoid sheltering in rooms with interior windows that would allow you to be seen from another room or hallway.
- Lock / Barricade Doors