Hurricane Katrina forced the realization the worst can indeed happen. DeKalb residents hardly have to worry about hurricanes, but tornadoes represent a very real threat.

The worst case scenario would be if an F-5 tornado hit one of the residence hall towers of Grant or Stevenson, said Gilbert Sebenste, NIU Staff Meteorologist.

Less than one percent of tornadoes reach that level of ferocity and residence halls have systems in place to alert residents when nature does strike, Sebenste said.

“We had people in Stevenson giving us instructions over the intercom when a tornado happened last year,” said Mike Modesto, a junior hospitality administration major.

Even if the worst were to occur, local government and law enforcement agency officials said they are prepared.

The DeKalb County Emergency Services and Disaster Agency, 150 N. Main St. in Sycamore, is in charge of assessing the situation and providing emergency responses to the county, ESDA coordintator Dennis Miller said.

“We would work with law enforcement agencies to secure the [disaster] area and make up shelter for those who may need it,” Miller said.

Police and fire departments are trained to handle these special situations.

A handbook with all the emergency procedures followed by law enforcement agencies sets out exactly how a disaster response effort would work, said DeKalb Police Lt. Jim Kayes. The police department would focus on ensuring people’s safety and helping injured citizens.

Natural disasters such as tornadoes are impossible to prevent, but early warning can help save lives.

“Tornado warnings are issued, on average, 18 minutes before they touch down, so people have a chance to take shelter,” Sebenste said. “There are also more than 170 weather alert radio stations and several shelters in each residence hall,” he said.

“Last year two tornadoes were spotted from campus,” he said. One tornado touched down on May 10 and the other on Aug. 24, 2004.

NIU students and DeKalb residents may wonder if a large-scale tornado could occur in this area.

“It can absolutely happen,” Sebenste said.

One such tornado, the 1925 twister known as the “Tri-State tornado,” caused 695 fatalities as it cut a 219-mile path across southeast Missouri, southern Illinois and southern Indiana. That tornado killed more people than any other in recorded history, according to the National Oceanic Atmospheric & Administration Web site.

There are two tornado seasons in Illinois, one from April through June and one from August through September, Sebenste said.

More safety information can be found at the NOAA National Weather Service Web site, www.nws.noaa.gov.