Emergency Response Guide

Severe Weather and Natural Disasters

Weather Closings or Delayed Openings

You will receive notice of a campus closure or delayed opening as quickly as possible through:

  • ICC MyAlert: voice, text, e-mail
  • Interior and exterior public address systems
  • ICC website
  • Social media
  • Local news media

You should wait for an announcement to be made. Do not call ICC Police, the Information Desk, or radio/television stations.

Winter Ice and Snow Storms

You should monitor weather reports closely for severe winter weather conditions. If you live in an outlying area where driving to the campus may be extremely hazardous, consider contacting your instructor to make arrangements for missing coursework. Stay home and stay safe!

Thunderstorms

  • Go to safe shelter immediately. Remember that if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning. Use phones only in an emergency. Stay away from water sources, i.e., drinking fountains, faucets, showers, etc.
  • If you are outside during a thunderstorm without nearby shelter, find a low spot away from trees, fences, and poles. Make sure the area is not subject to flooding. If you are in a wooded area, take shelter under the shortest trees.
  • If you feel your skin tingle or your hair stand on end, squat low to the ground on the balls of your feet. Place your hands on your knees with your head between them. Make yourself the smallest target possible.

Tornadoes

Tornado warnings issued for areas within 20 miles or less will result in an immediate seek shelter announcement (Peoria campuses will not be given a seek cover order if the tornado warning is not specified for Peoria City/Peoria County).

  • Immediately get inside a substantial building and move to an interior hallway on the lowest level away from glass doors and windows as much as possible.
  • If you cannot get inside, lie flat in a ditch or low spot with your hands shielding your head. Do not stay in a vehicle.

Recommended areas to seek shelter on campus:

East Peoria Campus
  • Academic Building/Administration Building: 1st floor restrooms, lower level of stair towers, hallways away from glass, interior rooms without windows or glass, Lecture Recital Hall
  • Technology Center: 1st floor restrooms, if possible leave the Technology Center and proceed to the 1st floor of the Academic Building
  • Performing Arts Center: Basement hallway and stair towers
  • CougarPlex: Restrooms, locker rooms. Do not seek shelter in gymnasiums, as they are not safe.
  • AIT Building: Lower level hallway away from windows
  • CAT/DPET Buildings: Inner classrooms and restrooms. Evacuate to lower level AIT if possible.
  • Dirksen Hall: Restrooms, center interior rooms and hallway
  • Lawrence Hall: Restrooms. Evacuate to Dirksen Hall if possible.
  • Land Lab: Restrooms
  • Campus Housing: Evacuate from Campus Housing if possible and seek shelter on the 1st floor of the Academic Building. Use rear lower level entrance or front main entrance of the Technology Center.
Peoria Campus
  • Move to the lower level of the Student Center, Dogwood Hall, or Arbor Hall. If you cannot, seek shelter in interior hallways, rooms, and restrooms without windows or glass
Pekin Campus
  • Women’s restroom

Earthquake

  • Take cover under a piece of heavy furniture or in a stairwell or doorway (beware of the door swinging back and forth). If that is not possible, position yourself against an interior wall, protecting your head and neck with your arms. Keep away from appliances, windows, and heavy hanging objects. After the shaking has stopped, follow evacuation procedures.
  • If outdoors, move to a clear area away from trees, signs, buildings, and utility poles.
  • If driving, stop at the side of the road away from hazards such as overpasses and utility poles. Stay inside the vehicle until the shaking stops. Resume driving cautiously if it seems safe, avoiding bridges and ramps that may be structurally damaged.
  • After the initial shock, evaluate the situation and if emergency help is needed call ICC Police at(309) 694-5111. Be prepared for aftershocks and plan where you will take cover from them.