How to Prepare for a Tornado

This article will tell you how to prepare for a tornado, and what to do should your area come under a tornado warning. Includes advice for putting together a tornado kit and tips on how to tell if a tornado is likely to occur.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Know When You're At Risk
   
   A tornado is a rapidly rotating column of wind that stretched from a cloud to the earth’s surface. Tornadoes are usually spawned from thunderstorms, but they often occur without rainfall, so a dry day doesn’t rule out the possibility of a tornado by any means.
   
   Tornadoes are measured on a scale called the Enhanced Fujita Scale, which ranks a tornado’s destructive power from EF-0 to EF-5. A rating of EF-5 indicates the most destructive kind of tornado with wind speeds over 200 mph.
   
   Signs of an impending tornado:
   
   • A darkened sky, often with a greenish cast
   • High speed winds
   • Large hail
   • Wall cloud
   • Loud noise, similar to that of a moving train

2. Have a Plan
   
   When a tornado strikes, it’s imperative that you get yourself to safety as soon as possible. The most important thing you can do for your family is to have a plan in place in case your area comes under a tornado warning.
   
   Plan to gather at a certain point in your home. The best place to be in a tornado is underground, so a basement, cellar, or special tornado shelter area is optimal. If you don’t have access to one of these, try to get to smallest room in the centermost part of the lowest level of your home, like a bathroom or hallway. Make sure the room is as far as possible from outside walls and doesn’t have windows, as large chunks of glass can break off and fly around, posing a potentially fatal danger.
   
   If you live in a mobile home, DO NOT stay inside. You are actually safer outside than you are inside the house, as mobile homes can tip or be picked up easily by a strong tornado. If your mobile home community does not have a tornado shelter, go to the nearest ditch or ravine—wherever the lowest area of land is near your home—and lie flat with your arms shielding your head and neck.
   
   If you are in a high-rise building, you may not be able to get to the lower level in time, so the best idea is to get to a hallway at the center of the building if you are unable to reach the lowest level or basement level.
   
   You should also plan a location to meet up in after the storm has passed, so everyone can be accounted for if you get separated.
   
   If you spend a lot of time in a certain building, like a school or workplace, make sure you know their tornado plan, as well.

3. Prepare for a Long Stay
   
   Sometimes, a storm might blow over fairly quickly, but you may end up trapped, often without power, for long periods of time. If this happens, it’s important to have a disaster kit available. The kit should include enough to survive on for a week or two.
   
   Things to include:
   
   • A few sealed gallons of drinking water
   • Non-perishable, easy-to-eat food items (canned foods, crackers, jerky, etc.), enough for each person to have at least one small meal each day
   • A safe light source, like disposable light sticks, a flashlight, or battery operated area lights and lanterns, and extra batteries. Avoid things which could pose a fire hazard, like candles and oil lamps.
   • A fire extinguisher with an easy-to-read gauge
   • A quality multi-use tool which includes pliers, a screwdriver, a cutting blade and a wire cutter.
   • A well-stocked first aid kit
   • A battery- or crank-operated radio
   • A battery-operated clock or watch
   • A sturdy pair of shoes and a thick pair of socks for each person in the family
   • A set of warm clothes for each person, in case you get wet
   • Forms of identification for each member of the family
   • Emergency cash
   • A spare set of keys to each of your vehicles
   • Pillows and blankets
   • Something to stave off boredom (decks of cards, books, travel-sized games, etc.)
   
   It’s a good idea to keep this kit in the basement or cellar, or, if you don’t have one, in or as close to your designated shelter area as possible. If you’re storing it in the basement or cellar, keep the items in large plastic storage containers, like the ones made by Rubbermaid.

4. Act Quickly
   
   Getting to safety as quickly as possible is of the utmost importance. As soon as you hear sirens or a news alert that your area is under warning, get to shelter immediately. Tornadoes are very frightening, but try to remain calm; panic causes people to react slower and often rashly, and maintaining a cool head in this situation could save lives. Once you are in your shelter room, have everyone change into their sturdy shoes. If your house is struck, get into a crouched position on the floor, with your head down, and use pillows and blankets to cover your neck and head to protect them from flying debris.
   
   DON’T LEAVE THE SHELTER AREA UNTIL YOU RECEIVE AN “ALL CLEAR” FROM YOUR ALERT SERVICE!

5. After the Fact
   
   Meet up at your designated meeting place if you get separated. Treat those who are injured as best as you can, but don’t move them unless you are moving them away from another danger. Put in a call to 911 and inform them that you need help. They will be able to direct you to a community relief center, if one has been set up, or send emergency personnel for injured members of your party. Help neighbors if you can, but stay out of damaged buildings as much as possible, and leave immediately if you smell gas or other chemical fumes.

Resources

• Tornado Survival Advice from the Red Cross

[smilesatme1]

on 11/1/2008 Great info!

[Felicity]

on 10/19/2008 Good advice - thanks for sharing this information.

[Thims]

on 9/21/2008 Step 2 is the most important. Great informative article.

[max2611]

on 7/5/2008 well-prepared article.