Preparation Tips
for Disasters & Emergencies:
Be Prepared!
High Winds/Tornados
| What Causes Tornados? | What
to listen for | Other Thunderstorm Hazards
|
| Before the Tornado | During
the Tornado | After the Tornado
| Every School should have a Plan |
Although tornadoes occur in many parts of the world,
these destructive forces of nature are found most frequently in
the United States east of the Rocky Mountains during the spring
and summer months. In an average year, 800 tornadoes are reported
nationwide, resulting in 80 deaths and over 1,500 injuries. A
tornado is defined as a violently rotating column of air extending
from a thunderstorm to the ground. The most violent tornadoes
are capable of tremendous destruction with wind speeds of 250
mph or more. Damage paths can be in excess of one mile wide and
50 miles long. Once a tornado in Broken Bow, Oklahoma, carried
a motel sign 30 miles and dropped it in Arkansas!
What Causes Tornadoes?
Thunderstorms develop in warn, moist air in advance
of eastward-moving cold fronts. These thunderstorms often produce
large hail, strong winds, and tornadoes. Tornadoes in the winter
and early spring are often associated with strong, frontal systems
that form in the Central States and move east. Occasionally, large
outbreaks of tornadoes occur with this type of weather pattern.
Several states may be affected by numerous severe thunderstorms
and tornadoes.
During the spring in the Central Plains, thunderstorms
frequently develop along a "dryline," which separates
very warm, moist air to the east from hot, dry air to the west.
Tornado-producing thunderstorms may form as the dryline moves
east during the afternoon hours.
Along the front range of the Rocky Mountains, in
the Texas panhandle, and in the southern High Plains, thunderstorms
frequently form as air near the ground flows "upslope"
toward higher terrain. If other favorable conditions exist, these
thunderstorms can produce tornadoes.
Tornadoes occasionally accompany tropical storms and hurricanes
that move over land. Tornadoes are most common to the right and
ahead of the path of the storm center as it comes onshore.
What to Listen For:
Tornado Watch:
Tornadoes are possible in your area. Remain alert for approaching
storms.
Tornado Warning: A tornado
has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. If a tornado warning
is issued for your area and the sky becomes threatening, move
to your pre-designated place of safety.
Severe Thunderstorm Watch:
Severe thunderstorms are possible in your area.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Severe
thunderstorms are occurring.
Remember, tornadoes occasionally develop in areas in which a severe
thunderstorm watch or warning is in effect. Remain alert to signs
of an approaching tornado and seek shelter if threatening conditions
exist.
Other Thunderstorm
Hazards
These dangers often accompany thunderstorms:
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Flash
Floods: number ONE weather killer - 146 deaths annually. |
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Lightning:
kills 75-100 people each year. |
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Damaging
Straight-line Winds: can reach 140 mph. |
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Large Hail: can reach
the size of a grapefruit - causes several hundred million
dollars in damage annually to property and crops. |
What You Can
Do Before the Tornado:
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Develop
a plan for you and your family for home, work, and school. |
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Have emergency
supplies on hand during the tornado season. |
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Keep a
battery-operated radio, NOAA weather radio, a flashlight,
and a supply of fresh batteries in a convenient place. |
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Keep a
highway map nearby to follow storm movements from weather
bulletins. |
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Know the
locations of shelter areas in public facilities. Most schools,
public buildings and shopping centers have shelter areas. |
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Make an
inventory of your household furnishings and other possessions.
Supplement the written inventory with photographs of each
room, including furniture, pictures, and valuables. All inventories
should be kept in a safe deposit box or some other safe place
away from the premises. |
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Listen
to radio and television for information and instructions. |
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If planning a trip
outdoors, listen to the latest forecasts and take necessary
action if threatening weather is possible. |
What You Can
Do During the Tornado:
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Take cover
immediately if a tornado warning is issued. A tornado warning
means that a tornado has been sighted in or near your area.
|
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In a home
or building, move to a pre-designated shelter, such as a basement.
|
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If an
underground shelter is not available, move to an interior
room, such as a bathroom, closet or hallway on the lowest
floor or get under a sturdy piece of furniture. |
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Stay away
from windows to avoid flying glass. |
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Get out
of automobiles. |
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Do not
try to outrun a tornado in your car; instead leave it immediately.
|
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If caught
outside or in a vehicle, lie flat in a nearby ditch, depression
or culvert. |
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Mobile
homes, even if tied down, offer little protection from tornadoes
and should be abandoned. Seek shelter elsewhere. |
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If a tornado
strikes during school hours, teachers should keep children
away from windows and seek shelter either in a designated
area or in interior hallways. Concerned parents should not
attempt to go out in the storm to pick up their children at
school. |
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Avoid
large, free-span roofs, such as gymnasiums and auditoriums.
|
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Have a
NOAA Weather Radio with a warning alarm tone and battery back-up
to receive warnings. |
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Listen to radio and
television for information. |
What You Can Do
After the Tornado:
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Be alert
for potential hazards. Take extreme care when moving about
in an area damaged by a tornado. Be alert for broken power
lines, shattered glass, splintered wood, or other sharp protruding
objects. |
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If your
property is damaged, make temporary repairs to prevent further
loss from rain, wind and looting. Keep your receipts -- the
costs of temporary repairs may be reimbursable under your
insurance policy. |
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Contact your insurance
representative as soon as possible. Prompt service usually
is available within hours after a tornado or other disaster
strikes a community. |
Every School
Should Have a Plan!
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Develop
a severe weather action plan and have frequent drills. |
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Each school
should be inspected and tornado shelter areas designated by
a registered engineer or architect. Basements offer the best
protection. Schools without basements should use interior
rooms and hallways on the lowest floor and away from windows. |
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Those
responsible for activating the plan should monitor weather
information from NOAA Weather Radio and local radio/television. |
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If the
school's alarm system relies on electricity, have a compressed
air horn or megaphone to activate the alarm in case of a power
failure. |
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Make special
provisions for disabled students and those in portable classrooms. |
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Make sure
someone knows how to turn off electricity and gas in the event
the school is damaged. |
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Keep children
at school beyond regular hours if threatening weather is expected.
Children are safer at school than in a bus or car. Students
should not be sent home early is severe weather is approaching. |
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Lunches
or assemblies in large rooms should be delayed is severe weather
is anticipated. Gymnasiums, cafeterias, and auditoriums offer
no protection from tornado-strength winds. |
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Move students quickly
into interior room or hallways on the lowest floor. Have them
assume the tornado protection position. |
Create
a Family Disaster Plan
