Tornado Safety


Before a Tornado | On a Severe Weather Day | During a Tornado | After a Tornado
| Tornado Myths and Facts

Before a Tornado.........

Develop a plan for your family and conduct tornado drills each season.
Know the county in which you are located and keep a map nearby to track the
movement of storms.
Have a NOAA Weather Radio with warning alarm tone and battery back-up to receive
warnings.
Know the difference between a tornado watch and warning.
Develop an emergency communication plan to get in touch with family members.

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On a Severe Weather Day...........

Stay informed about current weather conditions through NOAA weather radio,
commercial radio, and television.
Listen for this
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH: Severe thunderstorms are possible in your area.
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING: Severe thunderstorms are occurring.
TORNADO WATCH: Tornadoes are possible in your area. Remain alert for approaching storms.
TORNADO WARNING: A tornado has been sighted or indicated by radar. Take cover immediately!!
 

Environmental Clues
Dark, often greenish sky
Wall cloud
Large hail
Loud roar
If you experience any of these (especially a wall cloud) and you have a tornado
watch for your area, then take cover.

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During a tornado..............

STAY CALM.
If you are at home
Go AT ONCE to the basement, storm cellar, or lowest level of the building.
If you do not have underground shelter, go to an inner hallway or smaller inner
room without windows, such as a bathroom or closet.
Go to the center of the room.
Stay away from windows.
Get under a sturdy piece of furniture such as a workbench or heavy table or desk
and hold onto it.
Use arms to protect head and neck.

If you are in a mobile home, leave and find shelter elsewhere.

If you are at work or school
Go to basement or inside hallway at the lowest level.
Avoid places with wide-span roofs such as auditoriums, cafeterias, large
hallways, or shopping malls.
Get under a sturdy piece of furniture and hold onto it.
Use arms to protect head and neck.

If outdoors
If possible, get inside a building.
If shelter is not available or there is no time to get indoors, lie in a ditch
or low-lying area or crouch near a strong building. Be aware for the potential
for flooding.
Use arms to protect head and neck.

If in a car
Never try to out-drive a tornado in a car or truck. Tornadoes change direction
quickly and can lift up a car or truck and toss it through the air.
Get out of the car immediately and take shelter in a nearby building.
If there is no time to get indoors, get out of the car and lie in a ditch or
low-lying area away from the vehicle. Be aware of the potential for flooding.

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After a tornado..............

Help injured or trapped people; give first aid where appropriate; don't try to
move seriously injured; CALL FOR HELP.
Turn on radio or television for the latest emergency information.
Stay out of damaged buildings.
Use the telephone for emergency calls only.
Clean up spilled flammables.
Leave building and notify authorities if you smell gas or chemical fumes.
Take pictures of damage for insurance purposes.

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Tornado Myths and Facts

MYTH: Areas near rivers, lakes, and mountains are safe from tornadoes.
FACT: No place is safe from tornadoes.

MYTH: The low pressure within a tornado cause buildings to "explode" as the
tornado passes.
FACT: Violent winds and debris slamming into buildings cause most structural
damage.

MYTH: Windows should be opened before a tornado.
FACT: This allows damaging winds to enter. Forget about the window and get to
shelter immediately.