Your phone vibrates. Then it rings. Then an email pops up. Then your roommate’s phone starts doing the exact same thing.
Last weekend, as those clouds turned that specific shade of "get inside," our Emergency Management and Notre Dame Dispatch team was watching the radar. While most of us were hunkered down or even asleep, our team was hitting the switch on the ND Alert system. Tuesday, the National Weather Service confirmed several EF0 tornadoes touched down nearby. It wasn't just a drill or a "better safe than sorry" moment. It was the real deal.
We know the triple threat of a text, call, and email can feel like a lot. It might even feel like we’re spamming you. But there is a very intentional method to the madness.
"The goal is simple: we want to meet you wherever you are," says Tracy Skibins, our Director of Emergency Management and Global Safety & Security. "If you’re in a loud dining hall, you might not hear a text, but you’ll see an email. If you’re asleep, that phone call is what wakes you up. We use a layered approach because in a crisis, seconds matter. One notification might fail or be missed, but three ensure the message gets through."
We don't trigger these alerts for every thunderstorm or minor incident. We save the full court press for events that cause major disruption or physical danger. This includes some of the below, in addition to others:
- Tornado Warnings issued for St. Joseph County.
- Active threats or reports of shots fired.
- Significant fires or hazardous gas leaks.
When an alert for a tornado or strong storm hits, don't waste time checking the window. Head to the lowest level of whatever building you're in. Stay away from glass and wait for our 'All Clear' message before heading back out. Also, if you didn't get a text last weekend, jump into your student portal tonight and make sure your cell number is up to date. Login to InsideND and search for the "Personal Information" task. We can’t protect you if we can’t reach you.
Safety is a shared responsibility, and our part is making sure you have the info you need to make smart choices. Whether it's a confirmed tornado or a credible threat to campus, we're going to keep buzzing your pocket until we know you're safe.
Originally published by at police.nd.edu on April 22, 2026.