A tornado is a destructive phenomenon of nature. This phenomenon is manifested in the fact that some severe storms and severe thunderstorms will cause the nearby wind to rotate and appear funnel-shaped. Such storms can have wind speeds of up to 480 kilometers per hour and can destroy entire neighborhoods and towns within minutes. To protect yourself and your family from this natural disaster, follow these guidelines.
Before the Tornado Hits
Get your family prepared.
- Make plans with your family and take action. Keep a list of your contact information, insurance information, and who to contact if you need to go out of town in case of an emergency. Make sure everyone in your home knows where to go, what to bring, and how to keep themselves safe if a tornado hits.
- Just in case, keep important documents safe. If you need to evacuate your home, remember to bring copies of your birth certificate, insurance information, and social security card. After a tornado, these documents can be valuable if you are unable to return home immediately.
- Determine mutual communication methods. Make sure everyone in your home knows how to contact each other. Their student IDs, work IDs, and mobile phone numbers should all be compiled into one list. Everyone should be recorded, such as the nanny, with whom your child may be in the event of an emergency. Keep this form with copies of your important documents. If evacuation is necessary, find out who is responsible for the forms.
- Know the nearest evacuation center. In case you are in a dangerous area, it is necessary to know where the safest place is. In most cases, schools, community centers, and city buildings can serve as evacuation centers. These places will have medical supplies. These are also places where you and your family can meet up after the storm.
Make preparations for your home.
- Make your emergency kit. An emergency kit should contain enough water and food to last at least 72 hours. It is also important to prepare a communication tool or information receiver (such as a radio, satellite phone, etc.). Any first aid supplies, clothing, and toiletries you may need to stock up on should be stored with flashlights, batteries, etc.
- Build or designate a shelter. Typically, rooms that can be used as refuge rooms include basements, garages, first-floor interior rooms, and more. The room should be windowless and anchored to the ground to avoid being picked up by a tornado. Moreover, the house must be strong enough not to be damaged by flying debris. Don’t forget, that storms can bring rain with them, so use basements with caution as they can hold water.
- Arrange household items so they are protected from damage. Place furniture away from windows, mirrors, or glass. During a tornado, improper placement of furniture can cause broken glass to be swept into the air, potentially creating a hazard. Make sure any furniture that would move during a tornado is moved out of the vicinity of people. Large pieces of furniture can be fixed to the wall using eyebolts or L-shaped brackets.
During the Storm
Understand the phenomena to be observed. Tornadoes usually only occur when there is a storm (even if the storm is still some distance away from you), so if lightning, precipitation, and hail appear (especially when a tornado warning has been issued), you should be vigilant. In addition, the following situations should also attract attention:
- The cloud base produces violent and continuous rotation.
- During or immediately after a storm, the outside world is unusually calm.
- A constant rumble that sounds like constant thunder, or sometimes like a train or airplane.
- Even outside the funnel cloud, debris near the ground is spinning.
- At night, a blue-green or white light glows on the distant horizon – this is a signal that high-voltage lines have been torn down by strong winds.
Stay informed. Even if you know the signs that indicate a tornado, you can’t always tell if a tornado is coming just by what you see and hear. You can listen to local radio stations or watch local television channels to gather intelligence, especially if conditions are right for tornadoes to form. You can also buy a self-powered radio and flashlight combo. It does not require batteries to receive information and also provides a light source. Take a look at the following related entries on finding and using a “self-powered” radio.
- In the United States, the best way to learn about severe weather is to purchase a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration weather radio. These radios are sold very cheaply at most major retailers and outdoor stores. If possible, find a radio with backup batteries and a built-in audio alarm function that will automatically notify you when the National Weather Service detects severe weather phenomena or warnings in your area.
- Find a website that has a local radar link or page. This will give you real-time awareness of local storms, and because you can see the intensity and direction of storms relative to your home location, you can more accurately determine when to take precautions. Some weather websites have the above functions.
- Find out if there are tornado sirens in your community and learn what they sound like. Once you hear this siren, seek shelter immediately.
Listen to weather watches and warnings about tornadoes. The National Weather Service issues “watches” and “alerts” for severe weather.
- A tornado watch means conditions in your area are favorable for a tornado to form, or that a tornado is likely to be coming. If you hear reports of tornadoes or major storms, you should pay extra attention to weather conditions.
- A tornado warning indicates that a tornado has been spotted in your area or that radar indicates a tornado has formed. If the weather station issues a tornado warning, you should seek suitable shelter immediately.
- A Tornado Emergency Forecast indicates that a tornado warning has been issued and that tornadoes are heading toward populated areas. At this time, you should immediately seek a suitable shelter and listen to additional weather reports.
- A Severe Storm Warning indicates severe storm activity is occurring in your area and you should take appropriate precautions and be careful of tornadoes.
- Keep a local map with you, like this. When the radio broadcasts storm information, you can determine the location of the storm in real-time.
When a Tornado Strikes
Find shelter.
- If you’re indoors, find the innermost room, whether it’s on the first floor or in the basement. Don’t stand near glass or anywhere else that could hurt you (bookcases, chairs, etc.). Make sure there are enough walls between you and the storm.
- If you are in a mobile home or trailer, find the nearest safe building. These places, even if they just anchor your car, can provide you with some protection.
- If you drive a car, try to drive to the nearest shelter away from the direction of the storm. If this is not possible, stay in the car, hunker down, and wrap yourself in a blanket. Keep your seat belt fastened.
- If you are in an open area, keep your head close to the ground and protect your head. Don’t hide under any bridge. Most importantly, watch out for flying debris.
- NOTE: Never try to outrun a storm.
Never leave your shelter unless you are sure the storm has passed and the next direction you are heading is safe. Windy days are still dangerous, so don’t go out while there’s still debris in the air or on the ground.
After the Tornado
Treat the injury first. Use the supplies in your first aid kit to treat all minor wounds. If someone needs medical attention, wait until the storm passes before seeking help.
Turn off all devices in your home. Since gas leaks are extremely dangerous, the first thing you should do after step one is to turn off the gas, water, and electricity. Just the slightest damage to these pipes or switches could lead to a fire or explosion. Never light a match or lighter if you suspect a gas leak or if you have not turned off all appliances.
Check for damaged items. Do not use torches or candles; use a flashlight to inspect damage in your home because there may be a gas leak in the air. Pay attention to all damage, but primarily check for structural damage, which may pose an immediate danger to your home. If you suspect a part of your home is unsafe, leave the home and find another place to live.
If necessary, seek help from an evacuation center. If you or a family member requires medical attention or you suspect threatening structural damage to your home, go to an evacuation center. Supplies are usually available at these locations, but it’s important to have emergency supplies with you.
Stay alert. Before returning home or leaving your home to assess damage, make sure there are no more storms along the way. Strong winds may return, putting you at risk again. Stay tuned to the radio for more news about your town and nearby areas.
Clean what you can while staying safe. Once it’s safe to return home or travel, you can start cleaning up to the best of your ability. Move hazardous items carefully and make a list of the damaged items to give to your insurance company. Taking photos of damaged materials will help later in the process.
If you are lucky enough not to suffer a loss, please help others. Be grateful if your family and property were not harmed, and remember that not everyone will be as lucky as you. You can go join a rescue effort or volunteer. When doing so, remember to follow official public instructions to ensure your actions are constructive and will not jeopardize future actions.
Tips
- Tornadoes are sometimes obscured by clouds or rain, and sometimes no funnel cloud is visible to the naked eye.
- If a tornado is moving very smoothly, assume it is moving toward you. Please take steps to protect yourself immediately.
- When you’re packing food and other supplies in your basement, don’t be stupid. If you’re stuck for a long time, puffed food won’t provide the nutrients you need.