Severe Weather

Code Grey

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Tornado Watch

Issued when weather conditions exist that could produce a tornado. A tornado watch may last for several hours.

 

Tornado Warning

Issued when a tornado has actually been sighted and is threatening the community. At this time, the Civil Defense warning sirens are sounded, and the emergency messages are broadcast by the media. A tornado warning usually lasts thirty minutes or less.

Three Levels of Code Grey have been identified:
Level 3

A Severe Thunderstorm Warning has been issued in conjunction with a Tornado Watch or Particularly Dangerous Situation (PDS) designation.

  • Be observant for unsafe or worsening conditions, report to Unit Leadership.
  • Be on alert for weather alerts or additional notifications.
  • Begin identifying patients who would not be able to be evacuated from rooms to zone of safety if threat increased.
  • Physicians, Charge Nurses, Nursing Staff and PCAs should work together in identifying these patients.
Level 2

A Tornado Warning has been issued for a surrounding county

  • Be observant for unsafe or worsening conditions, report to Unit Leadership.
  • Be on alert for weather alerts or additional notifications.
  • Assist in lowering blinds and move unsecured equipment and hazardous chemicals to a safe area.
  • Limit unnecessary traffic throughout hospital.
  • Place blankets and/or mattress pads at foot of patient beds who would not be able to be evacuated from their rooms to zone of safety during Level 1 alert.
  • Assist ambulatory patient in putting on shoes.
Level 1

A Tornado Warning areas in Eastern Butler County or sighted tornado in West Chester Township.

  1. Assist ambulatory patient in putting on shoes.
  2. Move patients and staff to interior unit corridor with in department and close patient room doors once patient is moved.
  3. Notify visitors or vendors of weather condition that are on unit and guide to safe zone.
  4. Corridor traffic should be restricted to emergency movement only.
  5. Move charts, medication carts, emergency carts, etc. to an inside room.
  6. Lower blinds and move unsecured equipment and hazardous chemicals to a safe area.
  7. Evacuation magnets should be placed on door frames about 3’ above floor for rooms that have been evacuated.
    • Patients unable to be moved due to condition or equipment should:
      • Have blanket and/or mattress pads placed over top of them in order to protect from flying debris.
      • Move beds as far away from windows as possible without blocking room access.
 

Remain in place until “ALL CLEAR” announced overhead or Public Safety announces all clear.





 
 
 
 
 
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