Picture this: the sky is dark, the winds are howling, and the sound of hail hitting your roof is deafening. You know what’s coming – a severe tornado outbreak. But do you know what actions to take in order to stay safe?
With tornado season upon us, it’s crucial that everyone knows what steps they can take to ensure their safety during these potentially deadly storms. In this blog post, we’ll guide you through some key tips and tricks on how you can protect yourself from harm when faced with severe tornado conditions. So buckle up and get ready to learn!
Severe Tornadoes and the Need For Preparation
When a tornado is likely in your area, the first thing you should do is find a safe place to take shelter. This could be an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building, or an enclosed storm cellar or safe room. If you don’t have access to a suitable shelter, look for a small interior room away from windows, such as a closet or bathroom.
Once you’re in your shelter, stay there until the tornado has passed. Get under a heavy piece of furniture such as a table or desk, and protect your head and neck with a blanket or pillow. If possible, avoid lying on concrete floors, which can be very cold and uncomfortable.
If you’re caught outside during a tornado, never try to outrun it in your car – tornadoes can move faster than most vehicles can drive. Instead, look for a sturdy building nearby and take shelter inside. If there isn’t time to get to safety, lie flat in a ditch or low-lying area, and cover your head and neck with your hands.
Once the tornado has passed, be careful when leaving your shelter. Avoid downed power lines and stay away from damaged buildings – they could collapse at any time. Use extreme caution when approaching intersections where stoplights are not working properly. And watch out for debris that could be hiding dangers like broken glass or nails.
Steps to Prepare for a tornado
- Stay informed: Check local news sources and the National Weather Service for updates on the forecast. Be prepared to evacuate if necessary.
- Have a plan: Know where you will go and how you will get there if you need to evacuate. Make sure everyone in your family knows the plan.
- Prepare your home: Ensure that your home is in good repair and that it can withstand high winds. Bring inside any loose objects that could become airborne in a tornado.
- Take shelter: If you are unable to evacuate, take shelter in a sturdy structure, such as a basement or storm cellar. Get away from windows and protect yourself with blankets or pillows. If you are interested to know about how to become storm chaser and get paid you must read this article.
- Stay safe: Wear sturdy shoes and avoid power lines, as they might be energized and dangerous. Bring a flashlight in case of a power outage, and have a first-aid kit on hand.
- Prepare emergency supplies: Make sure you have a three-day supply of food and water in case of an emergency. Have important documents like insurance papers and medical records packed up and ready to go.
- Familiarize yourself with the signs: Pay close attention to the sky if you notice any of the following warning signs: a dark, often greenish sky, large hail, and a loud roar similar to a train or jet engine.
- Take care of yourself: Make sure you are as prepared mentally as you are physically. Take time to relax and keep track of your stress levels in order to remain alert and ready for any situation that may arise.
- Stay away from windows: Even if you are in a safe area, avoid standing near windows that could shatter from debris or high winds.
- Know the evacuation route: Before a tornado is near, be sure to have an established evacuation route in mind. Make sure you know where to go and what roads to take if you need to leave your home quickly.
- Create an emergency contact plan: In case of a tornado, it is important to establish a plan for contacting family members and loved ones. Make sure everyone has numbers and emails for each other in case one person gets separated from the group.
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What else can you do during a tornado?
A tornado is a violently rotating column of air that extends from a thunderstorm to the ground. Tornadoes can cause extensive damage to buildings and structures, uproot trees, and create deadly flying debris. They can occur anytime, anywhere in the United States. We have also covered what to do and not to do before, during, and after hurricane check it out now and see what you can learn!
While tornadoes are one of the most destructive weather phenomenon, they are also one of the hardest to predict. This is why it’s so important to be prepared ahead of time and know what actions to take if a tornado warning is issued for your area.
One of the most important things you can do during a tornado is to take shelter. If you’re inside a building, go to the lowest level (preferably in an interior room away from windows) and take cover under something sturdy like a table or desk. If you’re outside, try to find shelter in a ditch or culvert. And if you’re in a mobile home or vehicle, get out immediately and find solid shelter elsewhere.
Once you’ve taken shelter, remain there until the tornado has passed. resist the urge to peek outside or leave early, as this puts you at risk of being injured by flying debris or being caught outside in severe weather conditions.
During a tornado, it’s also important to protect your head and neck from injury. Covering yourself with a blanket or jacket can help reduce the chance of being hit by flying debris.
Stay calm and stay informed. Tornadoes can be chaotic, so turn off the lights and keep noise to a minimum. Listen to local news reports for tornado warnings and follow the advice of emergency responders and weather experts.
