Tornado Watch:

Means conditions are favorable for the formation of this type of storm.

Tornado Warning:

Means a tornado has been spotted…be prepared to take shelter.

What to do BEFORE a tornado strikes:

1. Know the locations of designated shelter areas in public facilities: such as schools, public buildings, and shopping centers.

2. Have emergency supplies on hand.

3. Be sure everyone in your household knows in advance where to go and what to do in case of a tornado warning.

4. If you live in a single-family house in a tornado-prone area, reinforce an interior room to use as a shelter-the basement, storm cellar, or a closet on the lower level of your home.

What to do DURING a tornado:

1. When a tornado has been sited, stay away from windows, doors and outside walls. Protect your head from falling objects or flying debris. Take cover immediately, where you are: in a house or a small building, go to the basement or storm cellar. If there is no basement, go to an interior part of the structure on the lower level (closets, interior hallways). In either case, get under something sturdy (such as a heavy table) and stay there until the danger has passed.

The most dangerous place to be when a tornado hits is in a mobile home. In the United States, tornados killed 304 people from 1985 to 1990. Of these 99 people-nearly a third-were killed in mobile homes.

IN THE OPEN

If a tornado ever threatens your house, don’t run around opening windows. It wastes time you should be using to take shelter. Open windows aren’t needed to keep unequal air pressure from making the house explode as once thought. Tornado winds, not unequal pressure, destroy buildings.

MYTH: Windows should always be opened to equalize pressure.

FACT: Opening windows to equalize pressure during a tornado is ineffective in reducing damage. Don’t worry about the windows; worry about protecting yourself. Also, flying glass is real hazard.

MYTH: Mobile Homes are safe if they’re tied down.

FACT: A mobile home is never safe in a violent windstorm; such as tornado. If you’re in a mobile home when a tornado watch is announced, leave and go immediately to a safe structure, or be prepared to take cover in a low area, covering your head and the back of your neck. Remember: If you’re in a ditch or ravine, be alert for flash floods that often accompany tornados.

HOW TO PREPARE

-ask about community warning signals

-always have a battery powered radio and extra batteries on hand

-learn the designated shelters of places you and your family spend time; such as a mall, public buildings, nursing homes

-learn whether your children’s schools have been inspected for shelter space by an engineer or architect and know the school plan of action

-always have an emergency supply kit on hand

-make an inventory of your processions and keep in a safe place away from premises

-teach all family members out-of-state contact phone number in the event you are separated. This provides you with a central point of communication away from local phone line outages.

THINGS TO DO

-if you are home, go into an interior room like a closet or bedroom, away from windows, doors and outside walls. For extra protection, get under a sturdy piece of furniture. Protect your head.

-if you are away from home, take shelter in a steel frame or reinforced concrete building.

-if you are outside, lie flat in a ditch and protect your head

-if you are in a high-rise building, go to a small, interior room or hallway on the lowest floor possible.

DON’T

-try to out-drive a tornado, they are erratic and move swiftly

-stay in a car or mobile home

-stay in a building with a wide roof span

When Thunderstorms Approach…

-Remember: if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to the storm to be struck by lightning.

-Go to safe shelter immediately!

-Move to a sturdy building or car. Do not take shelter in small sheds, under isolated trees, or convertible automobiles.

-If lightning is occurring and a sturdy shelter is not available, get inside a hard top automobile and keep windows up.

-Get out of boats and away from water.

-Telephone lines and metal pipes can conduct electricity. Unplug appliances not necessary for obtaining weather information. Avoid using the telephone or any electrical appliances. Use phones ONLY in an emergency.

-Do not take a bath or shower.

-Turn off air conditioners. Power surges from lightning can overload the compressors.

-Get to higher ground if flash flooding or flooding is possible.

Once flooding begins, abandon cars and climb to higher ground. Do not attempt to drive to safety.

IF CAUGHT OUTDOORS AND NO SHELTER IS NEARBY…

-Find a low spot away from trees, fences and poles. Make sure the place you pick is not subject to flooding.

-If you are in the woods, take shelter under the shorter trees.

-If you feel your skin tingle or your hair stand on end, squat low to the ground on the balls of your feet. Place your hands on your knees with your head between them. Make sure yourself the smallest target possible, and minimize your contact with the ground.

-If you are boating or swimming, get to land and find shelter immediately!

Stay informed about the storm by listening to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio and television for the latest severe thunderstorm WATCCHES and WARNINGS. Watch the sky and stay tuned to know when warnings are issued. Watches are intended to heighten public awareness and should not be confused with warnings. When conditions are favorable for severe weather to develop, a severe thunderstorm WATCH is issued.

DO

-if you hear a severe thunderstorm warning, stay indoors

-if you are swimming or boating, get out immediately

-if you are inside unplug all necessary appliances

-avoid bathtubs, water faucets and sinks; pipes can conduct electricity

DON’T

-stand near trees, poles, overhead wires or water

-touch metal objects like bikes, golf clubs or fences

-plug in electrical equipment such as hair dryers or razors

-use the telephone except for emergencies

LIGHTNING:

Lightning is the second largest cause of death due to thunderstorms.

Lightning precautions:

• If you hear thunder, you are close enough to the storm to be struck by lightning. Seek shelter immediately in a building or a car.

• If no shelter is available, go to a low, open area away from trees, poles and metal objects. Squat low to the ground and try to make yourself the smallest target possible.

• If caught in a wooded area, take shelter under the shorter trees.

• Avoid using the telephone or electrical devices.

• Avoid taking a shower or bath.

• If you are boating or swimming, get to land and find shelter immediately.

Have disaster supplies on hand:

• Flashlight and batteries

• Portable radio and extra batteries

• First aid kit and manual

• Emergency food and water

• Non-electric can opener

• Essential medicines

• Cash and credit cards

• Sturdy shoes