Torndoes are nature's most violent
storms. They can appear suddenly without warning and can be invisible
until dust and debris are picked up or a funnel cloud appears. Planning
and practicing specifically how and where
you take shelter is a matter of survival. Be prepared to act quickly.
Keep in mind that while tornadoes are more common in the Midwest,
Southeast and Southwest, they can occur in any state and at any
time of the year, making advance preparation vitally important.
Step 1: Get a Kit
- Get an Emergency Supply Kit, which
includes items like non-perishable food, water, a battery-powered
or hand-crank radio, extra flashlights and batteries.
- Store it in your shelter location
Step 2: Make a Plan
Prepare Your Family
- Make a Family Emergency Plan.
Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so it is
important to know how you will contact one another, how you will
get back together and what you will do in case of an emergency.
- Plan places where your family will meet, both within and outside
of your immediate neighborhood.
- It may be easier to make a long-distance phone call than to
call across town, so an out-of-town contact may be in a better
position to communicate among separated family members.
- You may also want to inquire about emergency plans at places
where your family spends time: work, daycare and school. If no
plans exist, consider volunteering to help create one.
- Determine in advance where you will take shelter in case of
a tornado warning:
- Storm cellars or basements provide the best protection.
- If underground shelter is not available, go into an interior
room or hallway on the lowest floor possible.
- In a high-rise building, go to a small interior room or
hallway on the lowest floor possible.
- Stay away from windows, doors and outside walls. Go to
the center of the room. Stay away from corners because they
attract debris.
- A vehicle, trailer or mobile home does not provide good
protection. Plan to go quickly to a building with a strong
foundation, if possible.
- If shelter is not available, lie flat in a ditch or other
low-lying area. Do not get under an overpass or bridge. You
are safer in a low, flat location.
- Plan to stay in the shelter location until the danger has
passed.
- Take a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) class from
your local Citizen
Corps chapter. Keep your training current.
- Find out how to keep food safe during and after and emergency
by visiting www.FoodSafety.gov.
Step 3: Be Informed
Familiarize yourself with the terms that are used to identify
a tornado hazard.
- A tornado watch means a tornado is possible
in your area.
- A tornado warning is when a tornado is actually
occurring, take shelter immediately.
Listen to Local Officials
Learn about the emergency plans that have been established in
your area by your state
and local government. In any emergency, always listen to the
instructions given by local emergency management officials.
For further information on how to plan and prepare for tornadoes
as well as what to do during and after a tornado, visit: Federal
Emergency Management Agency, NOAA
Watch or American Red Cross.
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