Campus Storm Shelters
Tornado Watch
When a tornado watch is issued for Tuscaloosa County, students and employees will receive a UA Alert with information about the watch.
Pay attention to the weather and be ready to move to a safe place if a tornado warning is issued.
The East Campus Storm Shelter, Greek Assembly Hall Storm Shelter, Hewson Hall Storm Shelter, John H. England Hall Storm Shelter, North Campus Storm Shelter, North Lawn Hall, North Engineering Research Center (basement), Drummond Lyon Hall Storm Shelter (for building occupants), Julia Tutwiler Hall Storm Shelter (for residents), Magnolia Best Available Refuge Area, Capstone Best Available Refuge Area, and the University Services Campus Community Safe Room will be available for students, faculty and staff until the tornado watch is canceled or expires.
Sheltering with Pets
The Magnolia Deck Best Available Refuge Area (BARA) is designated as the on-campus shelter for students and employees who choose to shelter with a pet during a tornado watch/warning. If space is available, the pet may shelter with its owner under the following conditions:
- Animals should be vaccinated as appropriate.
- For safety reasons, those persons violating these rules may be asked to leave.
- All service dogs accompanying individuals with disabilities are welcomed in all campus shelters.
- If the owner is unable because of a disability to use a muzzle, harness, leash, or other tether for his/her service dog, or if the use of a muzzle, harness, leash or other tether would interfere with the service dog’s performance of work or tasks, then the service dog must be otherwise under the owner’s control (e.g., voice commands, signals, or other effective means).
- Pet owners must be present with their animal.
- Pets must be under the complete control of the owner at all times.
- Only domestic animals are permitted.
- Animals over 140lbs are not permitted.
- Reptiles, fish and insects are not permitted.
- Dogs should be in a crate or leashed and muzzled. All other animals must be in a crate.
- Animals will be excluded from the shelter if they exhibit dangerous or disruptive behavior, or are otherwise believed to present a hazard.
- Pet owners should bring a bowl for water.
- Pet owners must clean up after their pet.
For safety reasons, those persons violating these rules may be asked to leave.
All service dogs accompanying individuals with disabilities are welcomed in all campus shelters. If the owner is unable because of a disability to use a muzzle, harness, leash, or other tether for his/her service dog, or if the use of a muzzle, harness, leash or other tether would interfere with the service dog’s performance of work or tasks, then the service dog must be otherwise under the owner’s control (e.g., voice commands, signals, or other effective means).
Tornado Warning
When a tornado warning is issued that includes the UA campus, students and employees will receive a UA Alert with information about the warning.
When a tornado warning is issued, avoid traveling and seek shelter immediately. Classes, laboratories and other campus events are immediately suspended.
For your safety and the safety of others, please follow the guidance of University officials while you are in University shelters.
If you cannot safely travel to a University shelter, seek shelter in the closest campus Best Available Refuge Area (BARA) location. The BARA location can also be found on the Building Emergency Plan posted near entry/exit locations and within the UA Safety mobile app.
Storm shelters are also located throughout Tuscaloosa County. Visit the Tuscaloosa County EMA website to find the closest storm shelter to your location.
If you are not on campus or cannot safely reach a storm shelter, seek shelter on the lowest floor in the center of the building and stay away from windows. Do not seek shelter in a vehicle or a mobile home. If you live in an apartment building, seek shelter on the lowest level. Do not remain in apartments on upper floors.
Shelter Locations
Refer to the campus map for the locations of shelters.
Capstone Best Available Refuge Area (BARA) – Located within the Capstone Parking Deck on the west side of the lowest level.
Drummond Lyon Hall Storm Shelter – Located in rooms 1003 and adjacent restrooms (1004 and 1005). This storm shelter is for the building occupants of Drummond Lyon Hall.
East Campus Storm Shelter – Located behind the Judy Bonner Child Development Center.
Greek Assembly Hall Storm Shelter – Located on Campus Drive East between the Recreation Center (Rec) and Bryce Lawn Apartments
Hewson Hall Storm Shelter – Located on the first floor. Follow signage. Note: Classes may be in session. If instruction is occurring in these classrooms during a tornado watch, do not interrupt the class. You may seek shelter in any classroom not being used for instruction during a tornado watch. During a tornado warning, all of the identified classrooms are available.
John H. England Jr. Hall Storm Shelter – Located on the basement level of the residence hall.
Julia Tutwiler Hall Storm Shelter – Located on the west side, lowest level of the building. This storm shelter is for the residents of Tutwiler Hall.
Magnolia Best Available Refuge Area (BARA) – Located within the Magnolia Parking Deck on the west side of the lowest level. The Magnolia BARA can accept pets with their owners.
North Campus Storm Shelter – Located on the lowest level of the Robert E. Witt Student Activity Center in Presidential Village.
North Engineering Research Center (NERC) – The basement is available for students and employees. From the main entry doors, go downstairs to the lower level and thru the door to the basement.
North Lawn Hall Storm Shelter – Located inside classrooms 1010, 1011, 1014, 1015, and 1018. Note: Classes may be in session. If instruction is occurring in these classrooms during a tornado watch, do not interrupt the class. You may seek shelter in any classroom not being used for instruction during a tornado watch. During a tornado warning, all of the identified classrooms are available for refuge.
University Services Campus Community Safe Room – Located around the oval between the Human Resources Building and the Campus Support Services building.
Storm Shelter Parking
Storm shelters and BARAs are available to all students, faculty and staff who live on or off campus. Once a tornado watch is issued, parking enforcement staff only monitor for safety violations like blocking a roadway, fire-hydrant, access aisle or fire-lane; as well as parking on the grass, double parking or disability parking.
Students are encouraged to use any legal parking in proximity to a shelter or BARA. Once the tornado watch has ended, ample time is allowed to return to correct parking zones, if applicable. Refer to the campus map for all parking options on campus.