What should I do if there is a Tornado Watch
A tornado
watch means that conditions are favorable for
a tornado in and around the watch area.
- Stay tuned to a local radio or television
station or listen to NOAA Weather Radio.
- Secure any loose objects outdoors, or move
them inside.
- Survey local structures for the most suitable
shelter.
- Keep watching the sky. If you see any rotating
funnel shaped clouds, report them immediately
to the nearest law enforcement agency and
TAKE COVER!
What should I do if there is a Tornado Warning A tornado
warning means a tornado has been spotted near
your area, by either an observer or Doppler
Radar, or is forecast to move in your direction!
TAKE SHELTER IMMEDIATELY!
Do not leave
shelter until you are sure no further danger
exists.
- In a motor vehicle:
- The least
desirable place to be during a tornado
is inside a motor vehicle!
- NEVER try to outrun
a tornado in your car! Stop your
vehicle and get out.
- Seek shelter quickly.
Do NOT get under or next to your vehicle.
- A ditch or ground
depression will help, if a tornado shelter
is not nearby.
- At school:
- Follow the school disaster plan.
- Stay away from auditoriums, cafeterias,
or gymnasiums, or other areas with wide
free span roofs.
- Go into center hallways and stay away
from windows..
- In open country:
- Move away from the tornado's projected
path at right angles.
- Seek shelter in a ditch, ravine or culvert.
Even a low spot in the ground will give
you some protection.
- Stay away from trees.
- Remember to protect your head.
- In the home or condo:
- The safest place to go is the innermost
hallway on the lowest floor.
- An interior closet is relatively safe.
An interior bathroom is even better.
- Four walls surround a small area
- Bathroom plumbing helps hold things
together.
- The bathtub, sink and toilet help
support debris if the house should
collapse.
- Avoid windows!
- Flying debris causes most injuries
and deaths.
- Flying glass can be deadly!
- Do not open windows as a tornado approaches
to equalize pressure.
- If a tornado actually gets close
enough for a pressure drop to be felt,
the strong tornadic winds have probably
already caused the most significant
damage.
- Opening windows may actually increase
the amount of damage, by allowing
air borne debris to enter your home!
- In a mobile or manufactured home:
- One of the least desirable places to
be during a tornado.
- Seek shelter IMMEDIATELY!
- Go to a tornado shelter on foot.
Do NOT drive your car.
- Do NOT get under your mobile home.
- If no other shelter is available, lie
down in a ditch or ground depression.
After a tornado
- Help injured or trapped persons.
- Give first aid when appropriate.
- Don't try to move the seriously injured
unless they are in immediate danger of
further injury.
- Call for help.
- Turn on radio or television to get the latest
emergency information.
- Stay out of damaged buildings. Return home
only when authorities say it is safe.
- Use the telephone only for emergency calls.
- Clean up spilled medicines, bleaches, or
gasoline or other flammable liquids immediately.
- Leave the buildings if you smell gas or
chemical fumes.
- Take pictures of the damage--both to the
house and its contents--for insurance purposes.
- Remember to help your neighbors who may
require special assistance--infants, the elderly,
and people with disabilities.
For a full color graphic brochure
re: tornadoes click here
(you need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this
brochure - download a free copy now)
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