Pre-K North and Pre-K South Tornado Safe Rooms

As part of the Project Panthers new construction project, the Cabot School District has completed two FEMA approved Tornado Safe Rooms, one at Pre-K North and one at Pre-K South. These reinforced facilities are engineered to withstand winds up to 250 miles per hour, providing a secure space for students, staff, and the community during severe weather.

Location:

The Safe Rooms are located at the rear of each Pre-K building:

📍 Cabot Pre-K North
1348 W. Main Street, Austin, AR

📍 Cabot Pre-K South
25 Panther Trail, Cabot, AR

When Do the Safe Rooms Open?

Each Safe Room door will automatically unlock when a Tornado Warning is officially issued for that specific location:

• If a Tornado Warning is issued for the Austin area, the Pre-K North Safe Room will open.

• If a Tornado Warning is issued for the Cabot area, the Pre-K South Safe Room will open.

Please note: Doors will only unlock at the campus under immediate threat, based on the specific Tornado Warning.

Safe Rooms do not open for a Tornado Watch. A Tornado Warning specific to that area must be issued by the National Weather Service.

Safe Rooms will close 30 minutes after the warning expires. After that time, the doors will lock and all occupants must exit.

Priority Use During School Hours

• During school hours (7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.), Safe Rooms are reserved for Pre-K students, staff, and faculty.
• The general public will not have access during these hours.

Community Access After Hours

• After school hours (4:00 p.m. – 7:00 a.m.), Safe Rooms are open to the public once an active Tornado Warning is issued for that specific location.
• Safe Rooms are also accessible 24/7 on weekends, holidays, and any time school is not in session - **as long as a Tornado Warning is active for that specific location.
• Again, Safe Rooms will not open for a Tornado Watch.

Safe Room Guidelines

• No food, cots, blankets, pillows, or chairs are provided.
• Equipped with a first aid kit.
• All Safe Rooms and campuses are tobacco- and vape-free by Arkansas law.
• Doors must remain closed at all times once activated.
• Only service animals are permitted. For safety and health reasons, pets are not allowed.

Questions?

For more information, please contact the Central Administrative Office at 501-843-3363.