Tornado Safety

In an average year, 800 tornadoes are reported nationwide, resulting in 80 deaths and over 1,500 injuries. A tornado is a violently rotating column of air extending from a thunderstorm to the ground, with wind speeds of 250 mph or more. Their damage paths can be in excess of one mile wide and 50 miles long.

Thunderstorms typically develop in warm, moist air in advance of eastward-moving cold fronts, producing large hail, strong winds, and tornadoes. Occasionally, tornadoes will accompany tropical storms and hurricanes that move over land. A tornado forms when a change in wind direction and an increase in wind speed with increasing height just prior to a thunderstorm, creates an invisible, horizontal spinning effect in the lower atmosphere. Rising air from within the thunderstorm updrafts tilts the rotating air from horizontal to vertical.

Tornadoes can occur at any time of the year, although peak season across the United States is in the spring and summer months. Even though most tornadoes occur between 3 and 9 p.m., a tornado is possible at all hours of the day or night. The average tornado moves from southwest to northeast, but they have been known to move in any direction. The average forward speed is 30 mph, but may vary from stationary to 70 mph. There are very few standards when it comes to tornadoes; virtually anything is possible.

There are some environmental factors to watch out for that generally predicts a tornado is on its way. The sky will turn a dark, often greenish color, and you will hear a loud roar, similar to a freight train. You will often see a "wall of cloud" and large hail, up to the size of a grapefruit, will fall from the sky. Some tornadoes are clearly visible, but others are obscured by rain or by nearby low-hanging clouds.

In addition, if you hear of a TORNADO WATCH in your area, remain alert for approaching storms. If you hear of a TORNADO WARNING, a tornado has been sighted in your area and you should move to your pre-designated place of safety.

The best thing that you can do to protect your family is to develop a severe weather action plan for your family, and have frequent drills to practice that plan. Your family could be spread out across the town- kids at school, spouse at work, you could be in the car. How will you find each other? How will you know if your children are safe? If a disaster strikes, you may be forced to confinement within your own home, or even be evacuated from your neighborhood. What would you do if your basic services, such as electricity, gas, water, and telephone were cut off?

The first part of developing a plan is to gather information about the types of disasters that could occur in your community. The National Weather Service office, emergency management or civil defense office, and American Red Cross chapter should be able to provide you with this type of information. You will also need to learn your community's warning signals and evacuation plans.

Discuss this information with your family, and pick two places to meet- one outside your home, in case of fire, and one outside your neighborhood in case of a disaster that prevents you from returning home. You should also choose an out-of-state friend as your "family check-in contact" for everyone to call if the family becomes separated. The next thing to do is to set your plan into motion.

• Post emergency telephone numbers by phone.
• Install safety features in your house, such as smoke detectors and fire extinguishers.
• Inspect your home for potential hazards (such as items that can move, fall, break, or catch fire) and correct them.
• Have your family learn basic safety measures, such as CPR and first aid; how to use a fire extinguisher; and how and when to turn off water, gas, and electricity in your home.
• Teach children how and when to call 911 or your local Emergency Medical Services number.
• Keep enough supplies in your home to meet your needs for at least three days. Assemble a disaster supplies kit with items you may need in case of an evacuation. Store these supplies in sturdy, easy-to-carry containers, such as backpacks or duffle bags. Keep important family documents in a waterproof container. Keep a small disaster supplies kit in the trunk of your car.
• Your disaster supplies kit should include:
• A 3-day supply of water (one gallon per person per day) and food that won't spoil.
• One change of clothing and footwear per person.
• One blanket or sleeping bag per person.
• A first-aid kit, including prescription medicines.
• Emergency tools, including a battery-powered NOAA Weather Radio and a portable radio, flashlight, and plenty of extra batteries.
• An extra set of car keys and a credit card or cash.
• Special items for infant, elderly, or disabled family members.

Some Additional Tips:

• Listen to NOAA Weather Radio or local radio or television for tornado warnings and instructions.
• If you hear a tornado warning or a storm threatens, seek shelter immediately.
• In a home or building move to a pre-designated shelter, such as a basement.
• If an underground shelter is not available, move to an interior room or hallway on the lowest floor and get under a sturdy piece of furniture.
• Stay away from windows and glass enclosures.
• Get out of automobiles; seek shelter in a ditch or depression.
• Do not try to outrun a tornado in your car; instead, leave it immediately.
• Mobile homes, even if tied down, offer little protection from tornadoes and should be abandoned.
• Protect your head and body from flying debris.
• In schools, health care facilities, and shopping centers, go to the pre-designated shelter, usually an interior hallway on the lower level. Be sure to stay away from large windows and glassed areas, and large rooms, such as dining halls or gymnasiums.