How To Survive A Tornado And Prepare 4 Disaster

Tornadoes are frightening realities. We can't prevent them or even predict where or when they will strike. Many of us aren't sure what we should do during a tornado. Even if you are at home, you can't always rely on weather reports to warn you of an approaching tornado, because conditions change so quickly. Tornadoes can occur without warning, or you may be out of range of emergency sirens. That's why it's important to be alert to changing weather, using broadcast information along with your own senses and experience to know when to take cover. You and your family must make a family emergency kit so you're prepared for any situation.

Tornadoes strike with incredible velocity. Wind speeds may approach 320 miles per hour. These winds can uproot trees and structures and turn harmless objects into deadly missiles, all in a matter of seconds. Mobile homes are particularly vulnerable to tornadoes...

MAKING PREPARATIONS AND SECURING YOUR HOME

Tornado Watch

A Tornado Watch simply means that conditions are favorable for tornadoes to develop. In this case you should take precautions to protect you and your property, and listen to the radio to keep informed. Tornadoes are most likely to occur in the late afternoon on a hot spring day. However, tornadoes have occurred in every month at all times of the day or night. When a tornado watch is issued, be alert for changes in the weather and be prepared to act quickly. On average, 770 tornadoes are reported annually in the United States. When a tornado WATCH is in effect you can take certain precautions to lessen danger. Move cars inside a garage or carport, if possible, to avoid damage from hail that often accompanies severe storms. Keep your car keys and house keys with you. Move lawn furniture and yard equipment such as lawnmowers inside if time permits. Otherwise they could become damaged or act as dangerous projectiles, causing serious injury or damage.

Tornado Warning

Tornado Warning means that a tornado has actually been sighted. Realize that tornadoes can be deadly and devastating storms, with winds up to 260 miles per hour. If one is issued for your area, seek shelter immediately! There is little time for closing windows or hunting for flashlights. It's a good idea to know where things are, and to have an emergency storm kit already prepared. When a tornado WARNING has been issued on the radio or by siren, seek shelter immediately! Purchase a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio with battery backup and tone-alert feature which automatically alerts you when a Watch or Warning is issued. Or simply purchase a battery-powered commercial radio, and extra batteries. Whichever you use, make sure from time to time that you know where the radio is, that it still works, and that all the batteries are still good. Make sure you know the names of the towns and counties in which you live and work. They are used during both tornado warnings and watches to identify the area of potential tornadoes. Keep a good, easy-to-read map in your car if you travel frequently, one that clearly details names of counties as well as towns.

Important Reminders

1. The best protection during a tornado is in an interior room on the lowest level of a building, preferably a safe room.
2. Tornadoes strike with incredible velocity. Wind speeds may approach 320 miles per hour. These winds can uproot trees and structures and turn harmless objects into deadly missiles, all in a matter of seconds. Mobile homes are particularly vulnerable to tornadoes.
3. Injury or deaths related to tornadoes most often occur when buildings collapse, people are hit by flying objects or are caught trying to escape the tornado in a car.
4. Tornadoes are most destructive when they touch ground. Normally a tornado will stay on the ground for no more than 20 minutes; however, one tornado can touch ground several times in different areas.
5. Tornadoes can occur practically anywhere, but are most prevalent in the Midwest, Southeast and Southwest. The states of Oklahoma, South Dakota, Missouri, Nebraska, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Arkansas, Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, and Texas are at greatest risk.
6. Learn the warning signals used in your community. If a siren sounds, that means stay inside and take cover.
7. Consider setting up a neighborhood information program through a club, church group or community group. Hold briefings on safety procedures as tornado season approaches. Set up a system to make sure senior citizens and shut-ins are alerted if there is a tornado warning.
8. Make a complete inventory of your possessions for insurance purposes. Keep that list in a bank safe deposit box or other safe place away from your home.
9. Conduct drills with your family in the home; make sure each member knows the correct procedures if they are at work or school when a tornado hits.

TORNADO SURVIVAL KIT

The Office of Emergency Services and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommend you self-equip with everything on their list. Prepare 4 Disaster offers various pre-packaged kits that contain a large number of products on their lists. Here is a list of suggested kits:

This is an abbreviated version of the Tornado Survival Tips. To download the entire document and other valuable documents about tornado preparedness, survival tips and safety watch the 2-minute tour above.