|
Tornado Safety Tips & Preparation
When a tornado is approaching, you only have a short time to decide what to do. Being prepared can make all the difference between life and death.
Here are a few tornado images from the National Severe Storms Laboratory Archive:
 F1 Hurricane: This tornado stemming from it's parent thunderstorm, occurred on May 22, 1981 in Cordell, OK. See what damage occurs from a tornado rated at F1.
 F2 Hurricane: Occurring on May 22, 1981 in Alfalfa, OK, this tornado was nearly a mile wide. See what damage occurs from a tornado rated at F2.
 F4 Hurricane: This violent tornado flattened cars before wrapping them around stripped trees, and flung cattle and vehicles for hundreds of yards. See what damage occurs from a tornado rated at F4.
- Plan Ahead:
- Plan tornado drills with your family and practice meeting at your "tornado safe room".
- Stock up on tornado emergency supplies before the tornado season approaches.
- Non-perishable food and water
- Non-electric can opener
- Cash
- First aid kit
- Flashlight, extra batteries
- Battery-operated radio, extra batteries
- Prescription medicines
- Baby supplies (ie: diapers, formula)
- Pet food, other necessities
- Create an after-tornado plan for your family, in case you are separated from each other. Have family members contact an out-of-state relative after a tornado, so you can be sure of your family's safety.
- Gather all your insurance information and important papers; make sure in a non-perishable container.
- When a Tornado Watch is issued: Meaning a tornado can pose a threat to your area.
- Remain alert, remind family members of your chosen "safe room", & listen to radio updates.
- Now is the time to take out your emergency supply box.
- Fill all medical prescriptions; make sure you have enough for up to a 2-week supply.
- Stock up on food, cash, flashlights, batteries, and a battery-powered radio.
- When a Tornado Warning is issued: Meaning a tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar.
- Evacuate mobile homes immediately.
- Become familiar with the signs of an approaching tornado:
- Funnels do not need to be visible in order for a tornado to pass.
- Before a tornado hits, the air may become very still and the wind very quiet.
- Tornadoes usually occur at the end of a thunderstorm, & can occur when the skies are bright in the distance.
- During the Storm: If in a mobile home, leave immediately and locate a building with a strong foundation. If you are not near a safe building, take refuge in a ditch or low-lying area and cover your head.
- If you are home:
- Retreat to the lowest floor in your "safe room"; make sure there are no windows.
- Stay in the center of the room.
- Use a sturdy piece of furniture for protection; get under and hold on tight.
- Protect your head with your arms.
- If you are at work or school:
- Retreat to the lowest floor or inside a hallway; make sure there are no windows.
- Avoid rooms with large roof areas such as auditoriums, cafeterias, shopping malls.
- Use a sturdy piece of furniture for protection; get under and hold on tight.
- Protect your head with your arms.
- If you are outdoors:
- Being in a car is the worst place to be during a tornado. Since a tornado's direction is unpredictable, trying to out-drive a tornado is very dangerous. Get out immediately and take shelter in a building with a strong foundation.
- If no building is in sight, lie in a ditch or low-lying area away from your car, which can be thrown in a tornado.
- After the Storm: Stay put until you hear that it is safe.
- Stay out of damaged buildings.
- Leave the building if you smell gas.
- Make a list of any property damage; take pictures.
- Avoid using candles or open flames indoors.
- Do not touch any fallen or hanging wires, for fear of electrical shock.
- Don't touch any tree with fallen wires; don't step in puddles with fallen wires.
- If your electricity is still off, continue to conserve refrigeration.
- Do not walk or drive around your neighborhood to survey the damage. Rescue workers and firemen will need streets to be cleared.
- Help those who are injured or trapped.
- Check on the elderly and disabled persons.
Here are some informative Internet sites that will provide you with further helpful information on hurricanes:
1. National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) - Outlook - Tornadoes: Tornado facts, safety information, photo gallery, & much more!
2. The Online Tornado FAQ: Here you'll find answers to all your tornado questions.
3. Storm Chase Online!: Learn all about storm chasing; read articles; view storm images; & more!
4. Kansas Storm Chasers: Keep up to date on Kansas tornadoes; safety information; fun tornado project area for kids!
5. Tornado Guard: This is a weather shelter that's designed to be "placed within the home's slab foundation, providing an easily accessible, clean, "safety zone" below ground as is recommended by weather emergency experts".
Here are some informative books to read that deal with tornadoes. Use Amazon.com's secure server to order:
 Tornado: Nature in Action : - Stephen Kramer. Learn all about tornadoes; includes safety information. Buy it NOW through Amazon.com's secure server!
Click HERE or on the image of the books to give this gift to yourself or someone else!
Eye of the Storm: Inside the World's Deadliest Hurricanes, Tornadoes, and Blizzards: - Jeffrey P. Rosenfeld Gain more knowledge about the strong forces behind mother nature, and the scientific studies that are being done. Buy it NOW through Amazon.com's secure server!
Click HERE or on the image of the books to give this gift to yourself or someone else!
Tornadoes! (The Weather Channel Series): - Sally Rose. This book from Cable TV's Weather Channel "examines the nature and origins of tornadoes, where they occur, and how to prepare for one, along with looking at particularly bad ones from the past". Buy it now through Amazon.com's secure server!
Click HERE or on the image of the books to give this gift to yourself or someone else!
The safety information contained on these pages is provided as a courtesy to My ParenTime's visitors. My ParenTime makes no representations or guarantees concerning the effectiveness of such information. In no event shall My ParenTime be held liable for any failure of such safety information.
|
