Natural Disasters/Tornado
Preparation
[edit | edit source]- If you are able, build a storm shelter inside your dwelling, or identify a suitable sturdy space in the innermost lowermost portion of the structure.[1]
- Stock your shelter with the usual emergency supplies,[2] plus the following:
- Some suggest that wearing a helmet during a tornado may prevent head injury.[3]
- Keep closed toe shoes in your shelter.[2] When the tornado is over, you may have to enter a debris filled landscape. Emergency services will be stressed following an event, so it's important that you don't injure yourself by stepping on a stray nail or glass shard.
- A thick fabric sheet to cover your body and eyes.
- Safety Goggles
During
[edit | edit source]Watch vs. Warning
[edit | edit source]During a Tornado Watch a tornado is possible but not yet confirmed - This is a good time to make preperations.[4] A Tornado Warning means a tornado has been confirmed - Seek shelter immediately.[4]
Finding Shelter
[edit | edit source]When a Tornado warning is in effect, seek the nearest shelter possible and stay there until the danger has passed. Avoid windows, vehicles, and
Common Mistakes
[edit | edit source]- Never open windows, as this just wastes time.[5]
- Never seek shelter in an underpass, because wind patterns increase the danger.[6]
- Don't panic.
After
[edit | edit source]Damage following a tornado may be significant, impacting utilities, basic infrastructure, and straining emergency services.
Gallery
[edit | edit source]-
This truck has been wrapped around a pole by a tornado. Do not seek shelter in vehicles. -
Even heavy vehicles like this school bus are easily tossed around by tornados. -
Interior rooms on the lowest floor offer the greatest chance of surviving a tornado. -
Tornados may happen in urban areas. -
Waterspouts are serious hazards for boats. -
Tornados are a hazard in the shaded regions.
References
[edit | edit source]- ↑ . https://community.fema.gov/ProtectiveActions/s/article/Tornado.
- ↑ a b US Department of Commerce, NOAA. "Emergency Supplies Kit" (in EN-US). www.weather.gov. https://www.weather.gov/owlie/emergencysupplieskit.
- ↑ "UAB researchers say add a helmet to your tornado-preparation kit". UAB News. https://www.uab.edu/news/research/item/1960-uab-researchers-say-add-a-helmet-to-your-tornado-preparation-kit.
- ↑ a b US Department of Commerce, NOAA. "Understand Tornado Alerts" (in EN-US). www.weather.gov. https://www.weather.gov/safety/tornado-ww.
- ↑ "Tornado safety: NOAA busts common severe weather myths" (in en). al. 5 April 2017. https://www.al.com/news/2017/04/tornado_safety_should_you_open.html.
- ↑ "Tornado Damage, Safety, and Myths | METEO 3: Introductory Meteorology". www.e-education.psu.edu. https://www.e-education.psu.edu/meteo3/l9_p8.html.