Office of Emergency Management
Public Safety
The University of Tennessee uses multiple tools to quickly communicate with the campus community during emergencies. UT Alert is the university’s primary emergency notification system, delivering urgent messages through text, email, and other channels to provide immediate instructions when safety may be at risk. These alerts are designed to reach people fast so they can take protective action without delay. To receive emergency alerts impacting campus via text, sign up for UT Alert at safety.utk.edu!
Safe at UT is the university’s official safety app, offering another powerful way to stay informed and prepared. The app provides real-time notifications, access to emergency resources, safety features like friend walk, and quick links to important campus information—all in one place. Together, UT Alert and Safe at UT help ensure students, faculty, staff, and visitors receive timely, reliable information when it matters most. Download Safe at UT today at prepare.utk.edu!
Tennessee’s Severe Weather Awareness Week February 15 – 21, 2026
This awareness week will be providing safety messages and preparedness guidance to help individuals, families, schools, and businesses reduce risk and improve readiness.
Sunday, February 15: What to Know Before the Storm
Monday, February 16: Flooding and Flash Floods
Tuesday, February 17: Lightning, the Underrated Killer
Wednesday, February 18: Tornado Safety & Preparedness | Show Us Your Safe Place
Thursday, February 19: Severe Thunderstorm Safety
Friday, February 20: Tools to Receive Weather Warnings and Social Media
Saturday, February 21: Severe Weather Impacts
Preparedness Tips for Tennesseans:
Know Your Risk
Learn the severe weather hazards most likely to affect your area and how to receive local emergency alerts.
Make a Plan
Create an emergency plan that accounts for your household’s unique needs, including children, older adults, pets, and medical requirements.
Build a Kit
After a disaster, help may not arrive immediately. Prepare an emergency supply kit with essentials for at least three days for your family and pets. If you are still restocking after Winter Storm Fern, start with what you can, items like water, shelf stable food, flashlights, batteries, chargers, and needed medications, and add a little over time. Consider adding a car emergency kit with items such as jumper cables, reflective triangles or flares, a phone charger, and other essentials.
Stay Informed
Monitor forecasts from trusted sources and ensure you have multiple ways to receive life-saving alerts, including NOAA Weather Radio and local notification systems.
Additional information about Severe Weather Awareness Week is available at: https://www.weather.gov/ohx/