The destructive force of tornadoes presents a severe and ongoing risk to communities, bringing about widespread devastation and upheaval. Each year, the aftermath of these dangerous storms leaves a trail of injuries, loss of life, and substantial financial strains, emphasizing the critical need to prioritize tornado safety.
Nevertheless, proactive strategies exist to mitigate the impact of these destructive events. Being proactive and well-informed, including recognizing warning signs and preparing an emergency kit, can significantly improve one’s ability to navigate these hazardous conditions. Read below about the steps you can take.
Tornado Safety Facts and Tips
Before the Tornado Hits
- Find out your community’s tornado risk.
- Design a disaster preparedness plan for your family, and create an emergency kit. Designate an area to seek shelter and where to meet after a disaster. Practice a tornado drill at least once a year. Be prepared to protect your pets in an emergency, too.
Put together an emergency kit in advance.
- Recognize the signs of a tornado. Indicators include rotating clouds, whirling dust or debris on the ground, and a loud, continuous roar.
- Know the difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning. A watch is when the conditions are right for tornadoes to form, and a warning means an existing tornado is approaching.
- Stay informed. Listen to local news weather reports and heed any warnings.
- Protect your home. Make a list of items to bring inside when a tornado is approaching. Prune trees and shrubs to make them more wind-resistant. Reduce the number of loose items in your yard; install permanent shutters on windows and reinforce garage doors.
Board up windows around your home, as flying glass is a serious tornado hazard.
During the Tornado
- If you’re in a house, avoid windows and go to the lowest area, like the basement. If there is no basement, go to the lowest floor in an interior room with no windows, such as a bathroom or inner hallway.
- If you’re in an office building, hospital, or high-rise building, don’t use the elevator. Take shelter on a lower level, away from windows and glass.
- Get under some form of protection, such as a sturdy table. Crouch down as low as possible and cover your head with your hands.
- If you’re in a mobile home, go to a tornado shelter immediately. Most tornadoes can wreck even a tied-down mobile home.
Find and enter a tornado shelter if possible.
- If you’re in a car or outdoors, don’t try to outrun a tornado. Get out of the car and find shelter underground or in a nearby building. Don’t go under bridges or highway overpasses. If you can’t get to a safe place, protect your head with your arms and cover your body with a coat or blanket.
After the Tornado
Even after a tornado passes, it’s important to stay alert and use caution when clearing debris.
- Stay clear of fallen power lines or broken utility lines.
- Make sure the storm has passed and go to a safe place. Don’t return home until local authorities say it’s safe. Always check the weather conditions on secure websites, if possible.
- Keep listening for updated information on the disaster. Let your loved ones know you’re safe, and check your family’s safety.
- If you are trapped, avoid breathing in the dust by covering your mouth with a cloth or mask. Don’t shout. Send a text, bang on a pipe or wall, or use a whistle instead.
- Stay away from downed wires, damaged buildings, and dangerous debris, like broken glass or sharp objects.
- Don’t use matches, lighters, or candles; there may be natural gas leaks nearby. Use battery-operated flashlights.
- Wear appropriate gear during cleanup, such as thick-soled shoes, long pants, and work gloves.
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