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On Saturday afternoon, a danger signal broke through the air, preparing students of the University, for an upcoming possible tornado. The weather was not the usual, but the tornado did not come in to contact with the campus for some time.

The sirens for tornado on campus region went off around 4:10p.m., followed by the warning released by the National weather service in 10 minutes. St. Louis’ alarms went off nearly 10 minutes later for which the danger signal was passed at 5:15 p.m.

Washington University’s emergency communication systems were not used though the sirens went off. Neither the text messages nor the e-mails regarding the tornado warning were released by the University, which also failed to update their emergency.wustl.edu website. The University could not be contacted for vital news on the tornado.

Zach Gietl, a National Weather Service trained spotter said this was definitely a rigorous weather condition that must have been informed to students to keep them prepared. He said “That was certainly a rigorous weather situation that would demand for an e-mail or text message, especially because a lot of our students don’t come in from the Midwest, who is not trained with essential things of what to do in case a tornado happens.”

Sophomore Gietl knew what to see forward in tornadoes and how to be with them, paying close notice to the National Weather Service, as a well trained spotter.

Senior Ryan McLaughlin was in the library when the tornado hit. He was asked to go down to the basement to handle it, as there was a little commotion going on and students were unable to decide on what to do next, in other buildings too.

Students said that RAs were the most obliging, helpful persons in informing the natives to get over to the lower ground levels, in the dorms.

Sadie Smeck, a freshman said that he heard those warning sounds while taking a short rest. However he was confident that the RAs on the ground would handle any situation. Though he had not viewed such an unusual severe weather condition, he didn’t feel unsafe in the hands of RAs, as they are wholly supportive. 

Students were hurried inside and to the basement of the same buildings they were staying in. They also forced those who were enjoying Thurten E Carnival, to go inside securely.
The tornado touched the West Country Mall. Though the University did not face more difficulties, University City witnessed heavy, strong wind and high frozen rain.

Sophomore Bailey Davidson said, “There was a single moment when we look outside and you could hardly notice past the rain, followed by everyone sort of freaked out, but we too didn’t do anything different…I haven’t experienced tornadoes before, that I don’t think it was a great deal until I spoke to the people little later.”

Fortunately, there were no injuries and only a little smash up. A few trees came down on Forsyth.