Tornado Preparation and Safety Tips
Be aware of changing weather conditions!
Since tornadoes can sometimes strike with little or no warning, you need to
be prepared before the storm strikes. Several life saving steps should be taken
so that you and your family can react quickly in case of a tornado threat. As
tornado season approaches, you and your family should design a tornado plan and
designate a safety shelter. Once the plan is designed, several practice drills
should be done. If a tornado warning is issued for your location, take the
following steps immediately. These steps should also be practiced during your
tornado drill.
How To
Prepare For Tornadoes
1.
Know the terms used to describe tornado threats:
- Tornado
Watch Stay tuned to radio or television weather sources as
weather conditions are favorable for tornado development.
- Tornado
Warning Take shelter immediately because a tornado has been
sighted, or a tornadic storm has been indicated on radar.
- Severe
Thunderstorm Watch Conditions are favorable for Severe
Thunderstorm development.
- Severe
Thunderstorm Warning A Severe Thunderstorms is occurring or is
imminent.
- Purchase a NOAA Weather Radio
with a battery backup and tone-alert feature, which will automatically alert
you when a Watch or Warning is issued. Purchase a battery-powered commercial
radio and extra batteries as well.
- Have emergency supplies on
hand.
- Make
an inventory of your possessions. Take photographs of or videotape your
belongings. Keep records in a safe deposit box or some other safe place away
from the premises.
What To
Do During A Tornado
When a tornado has been sighted, go to your shelter immediately. Stay away
from windows, doors and outside walls.
- In a house or small
building, go to the basement or storm cellar. If there is no
basement, go to an interior room on the lower level (bathrooms, closets,
interior hallways).
- In a school, nursing
home, hospital, factory or shopping center, go to pre-designated
shelter areas. Interior hallways on the lowest floor are usually safest.
Stay away from open spaces and windows.
- In a high-rise
building, go to a small, interior room or hallway on the lowest
floor possible.
- Get under a piece of sturdy
furniture such as a workbench or heavy table or desk and hold on to it.
- Use arms to protect head and
neck.
- If in a mobile home,
trailer, or vehicle, get out immediately and go to a more
substantial structure.
- If there is no shelter nearby,
lie flat in the nearest ditch, ravine or culvert with your hands shielding
your head.
- In a car, get out and take
shelter in a nearby building. Do not attempt to out-drive a tornado. They
are erratic and move swiftly.
·
Freeway underpasses are
dangerous and are NOT suitable tornado shelters! See: Latest
Research
The
designated tornado shelter should always be stocked with the following disaster
supplies:
o
Flashlight and extra batteries
o
Portable, battery-operated radio with weather
band and extra batteries
o
First aid kit and manual
o
Emergency food and water
o
Non-electric can opener
o
Essential medicines
o
Cash and credit cards
o
Sturdy shoes
What To Do After A Tornado
o
Watch out for broken glass and downed power lines.
o
Check for injuries. Do not attempt to move seriously injured
persons unless they are in immediate danger or death or further injury. If you
must move an unconscious person, first stabilize the neck and back, then call
for help immediately.
o
If the victim is not breathing but has good pupil reflex,
carefully position the victim for artificial respiration, clear the airway and
commence mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
o
Maintain body temperature with blankets. Be sure the victim does
not become overheated.
o
Never try to feed liquids to an unconscious person.
o
Use great caution if entering a damaged building. Be sure that
walls, ceiling and roof are in place and that the structure rests firmly on the
foundation. Wear sturdy work boots and gloves.
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This Homepage was prepared by Kenneth F. Hambrick, Polk County Coordinator. Contact at E-Mail address:
webmaster@pcoem.org for additional information about our program.
The
information contained in this Homepage is considered public
domain and the Office of Emergency Management encourages
interested persons to utilize any portions of it that might be of educational
benefit or enhance their local programs.