With strong storms expected to pass through Bowling Green late Sunday night and early Monday morning, WKU’s Director of Environmental Health & Safety and Emergency Manager David Oliver shared information to help students stay safe.
According to The Weather Channel, there is a likely risk of severe storms, with powerful wind, tornadoes and hail being possible. As of 6:15 p.m. on Sunday, storms are expected to start around 8 p.m.
According to Oliver, the university’s Disaster Science Operations Center is currently operational and working with the university meteorologist to monitor the incoming weather. The team, including professionals and WKU meteorology students, will continue monitoring conditions and provide regular updates to senior university leadership and other stakeholders.
“They have direct contact with University Leadership, WKU Police, and local emergency management to help with forecast timing, and severe weather operations,” Oliver wrote in an email to the Herald Sunday afternoon.
Oliver wrote that the university will activate its text alert and outdoor warning systems alongside Warren County should a tornado warning be issued for the area by the National Weather Service.
Each of WKU’s residence halls has designated shelter areas in interior hallways, stairwells and bathrooms, Oliver wrote. Oliver encouraged students, faculty and staff who live off campus to have a plan to shelter in their homes or apartments.
Warren County has eight tornado shelters available at parks across the county for those needing a safe place in the storms. The shelters are only available should a tornado watch or warning be issued by the National Weather Service. The eight shelters include:
- Two shelters at Basil Griffin Park (2055 Three Springs Road)
- One shelter at Ed Spear Park (226 Sunset Street)
- Two shelters at Ephram White Park (885 Mount Olivet Road)
- Two shelters at Michael Buchanon Park (9222 Nashville Road)
- One shelter at Phil Moore Park (7101 Scottsville Road, Alvaton)
Editor-in-Chief Price Wilborn can be reached at edwin.wilborn835@topper.wku.edu. Follow him on X @pricewilborn.
