During an emergency it is important to know about the characteristics of tornados
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TORNADO WATCH: TORNADOES MAY DEVELOP
TORNADO WARNING: TORNADO DETECTED; TAKE SHELTER
During a tornado where do you go for shelter?
Is there a safe place to be?
Listen to radios or watch news channels to hear about tornado watches or warnings
During a tornado, homes disintegrate NOT because of low pressure causing them to explode, which is a myth, but because tornado force winds tear roofs away, causing the walls to fall down. Opening windows WON'T help.
What to do DURING a tornado:
If you are in a house or building, go to the interior part of the house or building to the smallest room on the lowest floor. Stay away from windows and outside walls. Go to the basement or to an interior closet or small room. Get under something sturdy, if possible.
If you are outside in an automobile, abandon the automobile in favor of a permanent structure. If a permanent structure is not available or if you are out in the open outside of an automobile, you should find a ditch or depression that would permit you to get as low as possible and avoid the flying debris.
If you are in schools or factories, move quickly to shelter areas or to an interior hallway on the lowest floor.
If you are in high-rise office buildings, go to interior small rooms or hallways.
If you are in shopping centers, if available, go to designated shelter areas; otherwise, take cover in an interior rest room or small shop. Do not go to your car.
If you are in a mobile home, damage can be diminished if the mobile home is properly blocked and anchored.
If you are in the open country, lie flat in the nearest depression with your hands shielding your head. Be alert for flash floods.
*** Stay away from windows, doors, and outside walls.
What to do After a tornado:
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do not use fireplaces until the flue or chimney is checked that it is not damaged. |
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if you smell gas, turn it off at the main valve. Open all windows and doors until the smell is gone. Extinguish all flames and fires and leave the building. |
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if you see or suspect that the electricity is shorting out or damaged, turn it off at the main switch or circuit breaker. Do not touch downed power-lines or appliances until the power to them has been turned off. |
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if water pipes are broken, turn the water off at the main valve. |
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before using the toilets, check sewage lines to ensure they are intact. |
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If you are in a safe location, stay there until local authorities say it is okay to leave that location. |
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If you have evacuated, do not return until authorities say it is okay to return. |
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Stay away from disaster areas unless local authorities request volunteers. |
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Drive only when necessary. Roads may have been weakened and may collapse under the weight of a vehicle. |
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If you need food, shelter, medical aid, or clothes, go to the nearest Red Cross station. |
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Check for injuries and administer first aid. Do not try to move seriously injured persons unless they are in immediate danger of further injury. |
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Turn on a radio or television to get the latest official information from local authorities and the locations of emergency shelters and Red Cross stations. |
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Check your utilities for damages.
a. If you smell gas, turn it off at the main valve. Open all windows and doors until the smell is gone. Extinguish all flames and fires and leave the building.
b. If you see or suspect that the electricity is shorting out or damaged, turn it off at the main switch or circuit breaker. Do not touch downed power-lines or appliances until the power to them has been turned off.
c. If water pipes are broken, turn the water off at the main valve.
d. Before using the toilets, check sewage lines to ensure they are intact. |
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Do not use the telephone unless it is an emergency. It is very easy to jam the telephone lines when everyone is using them at the same time. Check to make sure all of the telephones are hung up. |
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Leave buildings that have been moderately or heavily damaged until they are made safe. Before entering a damaged building check for structural damage. |
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Begin cleanup of effected areas including dangerous breaks and spills cautiously.
a. Cover broken glass to prevent injury to other people. |
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Do not use fireplaces until the flue or chimney is checked that it is undamaged. |
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Do not go sightseeing! |
Facts about Tornados
1. Produced by powerful thunderstorms, tornadoes are by far the most violent type of storm. They can uproot trees and buildings and turn harmless everyday objects into deadly missiles.
2. Tornados appear as rotating, funnel-shaped clouds that extend to the ground with whirling winds that can reach 300 miles per hour.
3. Damage can extend in a one-mile-wide path for as far as 50 miles.
4. Types of Tornados Warnings
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a. Tornado Watch - Tornadoes are possible. |
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b. Tornado Warning - A tornado has been sighted. Take shelter immediately. |
5. Tornados are categorized according to damage and wind-speed.
| Category |
Wind-Speed
(miles per hour) |
Damage |
| F0 |
up to 72 |
light |
| F1 |
73 - 112 |
moderate |
| F2 |
113-157 |
considerable |
| F3 |
158-206 |
severe |
| F4 |
207-260 |
devastating |
| F5 |
more than 260 |
catastrophic |
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What to do to PREPARE for a Tornado
1. Safeguard your home. Check your home for potential hazards.
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a. |
Bolt or strap down top-heavy objects, such as bookshelves, water heaters, and gas appliances to prevent them from tipping over. |
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b. |
Check electrical connections and gas pipes for faulty joints and connections. |
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c. |
Place heavy objects on lower shelves |
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d. |
Securely fasten shelves to walls. |
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e. |
Store bottled goods, glass, vases, china, and other breakables in low or closed cabinets or drawers. |
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f. |
Be sure your home is anchored firmly to its foundation and structurally safe. |
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g. |
Keep properly tagged and rated fire extinguishers on hand and along with your family learn how to use them properly. |
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h. |
Store copies of important documents, such as insurance policies, deeds, property records, etc., in a safe place away from your home. |
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i. |
Store essential and/or unreplaceable items in waterproof unbreakable containers. |
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j. |
Remove hazardous objects (mirrors, bookshelves, heavy pots, hanging plants, etc.) from sleeping areas, or just move your bed. |
2. Implement preventive safety measures for you and your family members.
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a. |
Know where and how to shut off the gas or propane, electricity, and water at main switches and valves. Teach all responsible members how to do this. |
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b. |
Work out a plan detailing how to get back together if you are separated during a tornado.
1. Discuss with your family what each person will do in case of a tornado.
2. Remember, this plan should be flexible regarding time and location of each individual during any time of the day, week, or year.
3. Hold occasional drills so that your family knows what to do in the event of a tornado. |
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c. |
Become acquainted with what to do and where to go in the case of an evacuation of your community. Learn the shortest and safest routes from your home, work, church, etc. to possible evacuations areas or centers. Take into account that you may not be able to travel in vehicles and may need to travel on foot or bicycle. |
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d. |
Have a complete home storage including water. |
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e. |
Have a 72-hour kit in an easily accessible place. |
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f. |
keep a flashlight and/ir lightstick, "jump-in" clothes and an extra pair of shoes (and prescription glasses, if you use them) by your bed. |
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g. |
Put together a complete first aid kit and have every responsible person in your family know how to use its contents. |
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h. |
Learn basic first aid and CPR. |
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i. |
Have an out-of-state contact telephone number that everyone can call to check-in with. It is usually easier during a disaster to call out-of-state than call within the disaster area. Remember just check-in do not tie up the phones with lengthy conversations. |
3. Determine where you will seek shelter, such as a basement or storm cellar. If an underground shelter is not available, identify an interior room or hallway on the lowest floor. |
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