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Tornado Evacuation Procedures

In the case of a tornado incident, the goal of Grand Rapids Community College employees is to minimize physical injury and increase the possibility of survival. By familiarizing ourselves with the Tornado Evacuation Procedures, we can meet this goal.

Moving persons from higher floors to lower, windowless areas of GRCC buildings enhance our chances for survival. Individuals with mobility impairments should immediately report to alternative shelter areas, avoiding the use of the elevators. Small, interior and windowless rooms such as restrooms or corridor areas may be used. Avoid windows, parking ramps, catwalks or pedestrian walkways.

  • A Tornado Warning is when a tornado is actually spotted in the area.
  • A Tornado Watch is when conditions may result in a tornado.

Resources

The Kent County Civil Defense sirens will provide the primary warning of a tornado. GRCC will react when the sirens sound regardless of news and social media information on possible dangers. If the sirens sound, we will evacuate to shelter.

Sirens are tested at 12 noon on the first Friday of each month.

Faculty members should inform students of the tornado warning, turn off the lights, take class roster books with them, direct students tot he appropriate shelter area and close the doors.

GRCC Tornado Shelter Locations

Administration Building, 415 E. Fulton St

  • Basement Shelter

Albert P Smith Music Center, 142 Ransom Ave. NE

  • Any first floor practice room
  • Studios 1 (Room 138), 2 (Room 137), and 3 (Room 134)
  • Rooms 101, 113, 116, and 136

Bostwick Office Suite, 140 Bostwick Ave NE

  • Shelter in Raleigh J Finkelstein Hall (RJF)
  • Restrooms, hallways and interior rooms in G-1 and G-2 RJF, specifically room numbers: 3, 8A, 8B, and 14 (Paint Shop)

Calkins Science Center, 226 Bostwick Ave NE

  • First Floor:
    • Rooms, 105, 106, 118, 122, 123, 125, 127, 133, 138, 139
  • Second Floor: If necessary
    • Rooms, 228, 232, 241, 242, 243

College Park Plaza, 180 N. Division Ave

  • Basement-mechanical room through door #110

Custer Alumni House, 473 E. Fulton St.

  • Basement

Gerald R. Ford Fieldhouse, 111 Lyon St NE

  • Lower Level Arena Side:
    • Locker Rooms 102, 105, 106, 107, 108, men’s restroom
    • Lower Level Pool Side:
    • Free weight room corridor
  • First Floor:
    • Restrooms
    • Room 212
    • North Corridor between Gym and Pool

GRCC Lakeshore Campus, 12335 James St. Holland, MI

  • Room 102
  • Room 112
  • Room 129
  • Room 131

Library and Learning Commons, 140 Ransom Ave NE

  • Room 123
  • Room 140

Leslie E. Tassell MTEC Campus, 622 Godfrey Ave SW

  • Restrooms located on the south side of the building near room 103 and room 124
  • Exit hallway located near room 110
  • Room 155 located in the Welding Lab

Peter and Pat Cook Academic Hall, 143 Bostwick Ave NE

  • Restrooms and windowless offices or classrooms in G-1 and G-2 Main
  • Hallways and interior rooms in G-1 and G-2 Main, specifically room numbers: 3, 8A, 8B, and 14 (Paint Shop)
  • If necessary rooms 112, 114, and adjacent hallway

Phyllis Fratzke Early Childhood Learning Laboratory, 210 Lyon St. NE

  • Mudroom/sleep rooms adjacent classrooms
  • Adult restrooms

Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall, 143 Bostwick Ave NE

  • Restrooms and windowless offices or classrooms in G-1 and G-2 Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall
  • Hallways and interior rooms in G-1 and G-2 Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall specifically rooms: 3, 8A, 8B and 14 (Paint Shop)
  • If necessary first floor hallway and interior rooms

Sneden Hall, 415 E Fulton

  • Cafeteria-room 111
  • Hallway between cafeteria and I.T. offices
  • Room 115

Spectrum Theater, 160 Fountain

  • Main Floor:
    • Green Room (Room 112)
    • Hallway
  • Lower Level:
    • All Rooms

Steven C Ender Hall, 455 E. Fulton St

  • Basement

Stewart Edward White Hall, 415 E. Fulton

  • Basement Shelter

Student Community Center, 122 lyon NE

  • First Floor:
    • Restrooms
    • East Hallway
    • Farside Room (Room 25)
    • Inner offices of Student Life (Rooms 20, 22, 23)
  • Second Floor:
    • Multipurpose Room (Room 234A and 234B)

Wisner-Bottrall Applied Technology Center, 151 Fountain St NE

  • First Floor:
    • Rooms 139-152 (excluding 142b and 149) and adjoining corridor
    • Auditorium
    • All Banquet Rooms
  • Second Floor:
    • 214,221,224,242,244,247
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