MTSU plans to test its tornado sirens on campus and at the Miller Coliseum Complex Monday, Aug. 2, at 11:20 a.m.

The test, conducted by the University Police Department, is once again a brief, routine dry run for the MTSU system. No safety actions are necessary.

If there’s inclement weather in the area at the scheduled test time, however, the test will be canceled.

MTSU notifies the campus and surrounding neighborhoods before each siren test. The university uses a “first Monday” monthly tornado-siren testing schedule to minimize distractions for the campus and its neighbors.

Under the plan, even if a siren test date falls on a university holiday, the department will still conduct the scheduled test.

Members of the campus community can prepare for emergency weather by checking MTSU’s list of recommended shelters at http://tinyurl.com/MTSUTornadoShelters. The complete siren-testing schedule also is available at http://mtsunews.com/tornado-siren-testing.

Remember: When there’s a weather emergency, all students, faculty and staff automatically receive a Rave alert at their MTSU email addresses.

MTSU community members who also want text and/or voice notifications can use the “click here and log in” link at http://mtsunews.com/weather to begin those alerts.

— Gina E. Fann (gina.fann@mtsu.edu)

A tree uprooted by high winds in an electrical storm blocks a city street in this 2010 file image from Pixabay. Middle Tennessee State University tests its tornado siren system on the first Monday of every month at 11:20 a.m., weather permitting, to ensure it’s in working operation when hazardous weather affects the area. (file image by Jan Mallande/Pixabay)