North Texas has been experiencing episodes of dangerous weather for the last few weeks with thunderstorms and hail. There have also been several tornadoes that have left devastating damage in several communities. It’s important to know how to stay safe when the conditions are right for tornadoes to develop.
A tornado WATCH means a tornado is possible. A tornado WARNING means that a tornado is already occurring or will occur soon. This is the time to go to your safe space.
The U. S. experiences more tornadoes than any other country. The reasons for this are our low-lying geography and a climate that makes it easy for tornadoes to develop.
Tornadoes are rotating columns of air that can destroy buildings, turn cars over and produce dangerous, even deadly, flying debris. They kill approximately 60 people each year and injury many more. And, they can happen at any time and be hidden by rain or by darkness. Chances of a tornado are higher in the southeast and Midwest parts of the U.S.
Therefore, it’s important to know the warning signs. These include a funnel-shaped cloud, a cloud of debris or a loud roar that sounds like a freight train.
Below is a list of safety tips.
- Keep a close watch on the Emergency Alert System, NOAA Weather Radio and watch local weather reports.
- Sign up for your city’s warning system and if your area has sirens, familiarize yourself with the warning tone.
- Determine the safest locations at home and at work in advance. Be sure that all family members know where to go.
- Conduct drills with your children so they will know exactly what to do.
- Get to the lowest possible level such as a basement or the lowest floor of a building or house.
- Go to an interior room with no windows such as a bathroom or closet and close all the doors.
- Stay away from windows, doors and outside walls.
- In public buildings, avoid seeking shelter in large open rooms such as cafeterias.
- If there is nowhere to go without windows, protect yourself with blankets, pillows, coats, etc.
- Once in a safe space get under a sturdy piece of furniture if possible. If there is no sturdy furniture, crouch under a door frame.
- Those who live in mobile homes should leave in advance of approaching severe weather and go to a safe building.
- When there is no shelter, get into a ditch or low spot and lie flat. Cover your head with your arms.
- If outdoors or in a vehicle, if you can safely get to a sturdy shelter, do so. If not, get to the lowest point such as a ditch or remain in the vehicle.
- Never try to outrun a tornado.
- Do not park vehicle under a highway overpass.
- Don’t forget to plan for your pet.
- Have an emergency supply kit ready in advance. Each person and pet should have supplies for thee days – bottled water (two quarts per person per day), nonperishable food, first aid kit, prescription medications, pain/fever relievers and antacids, Also include tools such as a knife, can opener, wrench, whistle, battery-powered radio, flashlights and batteries. Each person needs blankets, clothes, rain gear, sturdy shoes or boots. Also, have some cash on hand, copies of credit cards, passports, social security information, phone numbers and insurance information.
Sources: www.redcross.org; www.cdc.gov; www.howstuffworks.com; www.weather.gov