The University’s tornado alarm system sounded around 2:10 p.m. when a weather cell located over southwest Oconee County tightened rotation.

“A broad and weak circulation tightened up real quick,” said Mike Griesinger, meteorologist at the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City.

UGA Alert sent text messages warning students to take shelter at 2:18, phone calls three minutes later and an e-mail message another three minutes later.

Across campus, students in the Student Learning Center and Snelling Dining Hall were evacuated to the lowest floors. Campus Transit buses stopped running momentarily, according to the University Police scanner.

The warning was discontinued at 2:34 p.m. through text message, and all-clear messages were sent through the phone at 2:39 and e-mail at 3:13.