Emergency Preparedness

Preparing in advance of an emergency can have a life-changing impact when it matters most.

Where should you go to find shelter when a tornado is headed toward campus? What should you do if there were a fire inside your academic building or residence hall? What steps should you take if there is an armed intruder in your surrounding area? Do you know the phone numbers for the police department and other critical campus services? Do you know where to find important resources online before, during and after an emergency? Thinking about what steps you should take and what things you will need in advance of an emergency can help you be prepared when urgent action is needed.

View an Emergency Preparedness Calendar to assist with your planning. Following the steps below will help prepare you for nearly all emergency situations.

Storm Shelters and Areas of Refuge

Designated Shelters and Areas of Refuge: The University of Montevallo has two designated storm shelters on campus along with several areas designated as “areas of refuge” that can be used during severe weather emergencies. We encourage the use of these areas during a weather emergency if time and safety permits. However, when threatening weather conditions exist or when a Tornado Warning is issued, time and other dangerous contributing factors may not permit safe travel from one building to another. If you are faced with these dangerous contributing factors you should remain where you are and seek shelter in the lowest point of the building in an interior, enclosed space away from any windows. UM shelters open when the University of Montevallo is placed under a Tornado Watch by the National Weather Service. The shelters remain open until the Tornado Watch or Warning is removed. Campus shelters and areas of refuge are provided for the safety of our students, faculty and staff.

The University of Montevallo’s FEMA rated Storm Shelters are located in:

The 3D Art Complex
The Center for the Arts

The basements of the following buildings are considered to be “Areas of Refuge” that can be used if you are unable to reach a storm shelter:

Some academic buildings may not be open outside normal business hours. Residence Halls with basements or designated Areas of Refuge can only be accessed by residents of those buildings using their student access cards.

Myrick Hall – Academic Building (During Business Hours 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
Bloch Hall – Academic Building (During Business Hours 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
Napier Hall – Residence Hall – (Residents with Card Access Only)
Davis Hall – Academic Building (During Business Hours 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
Ramsay Hall – Residence Hall – (Residents with Card Access Only)
Speech & Hearing Center – Academic Building (During Business Hours 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
Hanson Hall – Residence Hall – (Residents with Card Access Only)

Create Emergency Preparedness Kit

• Have extra doses of medication
• Have a phone charger
• Have non-perishable food
• Have a change of clothes/shoes
• Have a helmet
• Store blankets, gloves, boots, flashlight, kitty litter, etc. in your car
• Keep your gas tank full

Sign Up for Emergency Apps

UM Alert

ShelbyALert

Add Emergency Phone Numbers

Bookmark Emergency Preparedness Websites

UM Emergency Communications

UM Department of Public Safety

Weather.gov

Ready.gov

Shelby County Emergency Management Agency (EMA)

Ready Alabama

Alabama Department of Public Health

Alabama Department of Transportation