The book is about April 2011 when the biggest tornado outbreak in history hit. It mainly hit Alabama. I have talked to my S about many things and have taught him many things to prep him for college. I had not talked to him about what to do in case of a tornado. I have now. I will be buying a weather radio for him before he goes off to college.
How many tornado warnings have there been this spring?
“How many tornado warnings have there been this spring?”
There have been no tornado warnings for the UA so far this spring.
Consider sending your student a few items for an emergency kit such as a flashlight and batteries, water bottles, cash, a portable phone charger, a car phone charger, etc… Speak with your student about keeping phones, ipads or tablets, and computers charged when inclement weather is expected.
Consider purchasing a good weather app for your student’s phone. Many apps are free this time of the year. I am providing a link to a free app below for Alabama, but there are others available. Be sure the app you select offers current location tracking. I think you will find the weather app is more convenient than purchasing a weather radio.
Be sure your student understands the difference between a tornado watch (conditions are favorable) and a tornado warning (a tornado has been spotted). The counties in Alabama are quite large, so a tornado warning may or may not be an immediate concern for UA students depending upon the location in the county.
Take time to speak with your student about various forms of dangerous weather situations as well as dangerous behaviors. Make sure they understand how to recognize dangerous situations and the value of remaining calm and reacting appropriately to the situation.
The UA and the local schools are keenly aware of the risks to students and staff and routinely suspend operations in the event of an imminent threat of severe weather. Schools in Alabama closed in anticipation of the severe outbreak of 2011. You will find that the UA and the local schools are proactive in such situations.
There are guidelines in place for students living in dorms. Students are instructed ahead of time as to locations for sheltering inside the dorms.
The UA has an alert system which includes sirens across campus, text and email alerts in case of an emergency.
The city of Tuscaloosa also has tornado sirens in place.
Here are a few great sources you should provide for your student:
James Spann weather 24/7 with live stream
http://www.abc3340.com/category/220454/james-spann-24-7-weather
Safe-t-net
Prepare UA
http://prepare.ua.edu/?page_id=895
http://prepare.ua.edu/?page_id=1700
http://prepare.ua.edu/?page_id=88
Have a plan and stay safe.
UA sends out emails and texts of weather alerts to students and to parents (if they sign up for this feature). Actually, the alerts are on all sorts of topics relating to campus safety, including poor weather in the winter. 
You will be given info on this at BamaBound.
Thanks for the information. We had heard about the tornado during our tour but kind of dismissed it. Reading about it and the people who lost their lives brings it to a new appreciation.
I highly recommend A Season To Remember by Carson Tinker, former long snapper gor the Tide - Very heartfelt story…outstanding young man.
I also recommend The Storm and The Tide along with A Season to Remember! Both great books about April 27th! My daughter was a freshman in 2011 and she still hasn’t been able to read any books about it. Very scary and tragic day for a lot of people!