Severe Weather Awareness Week: Tornado Safety

So far this week, we have been able to distinguish the difference between a watch, and a warning. Plus, the last blog discussed what types of criteria need to be reached in order for a thunderstorm to be considered severe. Now that we have the ground work for you, safety during these type of events are the most crucial. If proper preparation and action takes place, you will be able to save your life.

First thing is first, if there ever is a thunderstorm in your area, or you know there is one moving towards you, make sure to stay inside a sturdy shelter; such as an office building or a house. A way you can remember this is a catchy phrase from the National Weather Service: "When thunder roars go indoors." Plain and simple, you want to keep yourself away from the elements that might harm you.

However, if a severe thunderstorm had the capabilities of generating a tornado a TORNADO WARNING will be issued by your local National Weather Service for the specific locations in harms way. Even if your city is not noted within this warning, as long as your area is considered to be within the warned area make sure to take action immediately.

Best advice is to move to the basement of your house. Additionally, stay away from windows and any exterior walls where debris from the outside could fly into. While in the basement, huddle in a bathroom or closet with a blanket on your head for extra protection.

If you do not have a basement, an interior closet, hallway, or bathroom will be the best location to go. Furthermore, if you have an emergency kit available and that's easily accessible, grab it. Within this kit, you want to put in a first aid kit, flashlight, extra batteries, bottled water, and non-perishable food.

One of the worst places to be is in a mobile home. If you live in one, please take immediate shelter in a sturdy building when you are under a TORNADO WARNING.

The above advice is the best route when it comes to saving your life, but what if you are caught outside with no sturdy buildings in sight?

One thing I can tell you is....DO NOT wait in an underpass. If a tornado comes close enough, or rips though the underpass, you will be harmed, if not killed. Because the violent wind of the tornado compresses in an underpass, the winds will actually gain strength and blow harder. Kind of like a wind tunnel.

Research has shown that lying face down in a roadside ditch with your hands covering your head is the best tactic you can use in the event of being caught outside with no shelter if a tornado is rolling your way.

With all of these tips in mind. there are several myths yo should be aware of.

1) Moving to the northeast side of your house is the safest during a tornado. WRONG.
An interior room or closet is the safest. A tornado can come at you from any direction.

2) Opening windows in your home will equalize pressure in your home keeping you safe. WRONG.
Opening your windows will only allow high winds, rain, hail and even debris sail into your home causing even more danger.

Overall, keep it safe when a TORNADO WARNING is issued and I hope these tips have helped.

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