Severe Weather

Know Where To Go

Know ahead of time where you are supposed to go in the event of a severe weather emergency. Look for the map posted in your building for designated severe weather safety areas or contact your building liaison for more information. 

UMKC building liaisons

Class Cancellations Due to Weather

Students, if you receive an alert that our campus has been closed due to inclement weather and are wondering how it will impact your classes, please watch for updates and instructions from your professor either by email or through Canvas. If you have questions, please contact your instructor directly.

Cold Weather

Dress to stay warm and avoid frostbite and hypothermia.

Experts recommend adults wear:

  • A hat, scarf or knit mask to cover face and mouth
  • Sleeves that are snug at the wrist
  • Mittens (they are warmer than gloves)
  • Water-resistant coat and boots
  • Several layers of loose-fitting clothing

How to layer up

  • Inner layer: wear fabrics that will hold more body heat and don’t absorb moisture. Wool, silk or polypropylene will hold more body heat than cotton.
  • Insulation layer: an insulation layer will help you retain heat by trapping air close to your body. Natural fibers, like wool or goose down or a classic fleece work best.
  • Outer layer: the outermost layer helps protect you from wind, rain and snow. It should be tightly woven and preferably be water and wind resistant to reduce loss of body heat.

Avoid frostbite and hypothermia

Frostbite causes loss of feeling and color around the face, fingers and toes.

  • Signs of frostbite: numbness, white or grayish-yellow skin, firm or waxy skin
  • What to do: go to a warm room. Soak in warm water. Use body heat to warm. Do not massage affected areas or use a heating pad.

Hypothermia is an unusually low body temperature. A temperature below 95 F is an emergency.

  • Signs of hypothermia: shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss, slurred speech or drowsiness
  • What to do: go to a warm room. Warm the center of the body first — chest, neck, head and groin. Keep dry and wrapped in warm blankets, including the head and neck.

In either case, it’s important to see a medical provider as soon as possible.

Tornado Warning

  • If indoors, go to your building's pre-designated safety spot, ideally the basement or interior hallway on a lower floor.
  • In a basement stay under the center support beam, a stairwell or heavy piece of furniture for protection from falling debris. Stay out of corners; debris often collects in corners.
  • If you have no area below ground level, use a hallway, closing doors off to outside rooms. A small interior room (bathroom or closet) away from outside walls and windows would be preferable to large rooms or rooms with outside walls.
  • Avoid auditoriums, gymnasiums or other areas having a wide, free-span roof. Take cover under heavy furniture.
  • Put as many walls between you and the outside as you can.
  • Avoid windows and glass.
  • If outdoors, lie flat in the nearest depression, such as a ditch or ravine. If time allows, move away from the path of the tornado at a right angle.
  • For more information, please visit Missouri Storm Aware.

Flood

During a flood watch, if indoors:

  • Turn on battery-operated radio for latest emergency information.
  • Move valuable items to high places, if possible.
  • Unplug electrical appliances.
  • Follow instructions of authorities.

If outdoors:

  • Move to higher ground and stay there.
  • Avoid walking through floodwaters.
  • If in a car, do not attempt to drive through floodwaters. If your car stalls, abandon it immediately and move to higher ground.

During an evacuation:

  • If advised to evacuate, do so immediately to avoid flooded roads, being sure to follow recommended evacuation routes.
  • Listen to radio or authorities for evacuation instructions.