Tornadoes

When severe weather threatens, tune in to your local radio or television, the weather channel or a NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) radio for information. A watch means conditions are right for tornado formation; a warning means a tornado has actually been sighted.

The safest place to be during a tornado is underground in a basement or storm cellar. If you have no basement, go to an inner hallway or smaller inner room without windows, such as a bathroom or closet. Go to the center of the room. Try to find something sturdy you can get under and hold onto to protect you from flying debris and/or a collapsed roof. Use your arms to protect your head and neck.

Those in mobile homes should go to a shelter when the weather turns bad.

If you are driving and you see a funnel cloud or hear a tornado warning issued, and no shelter is available, lie on the ground, if possible in a ditch or depression. Use your arms to protect your head and neck and wait for the storm to pass. While waiting, be alert for the flash floods that sometimes accompany tornadoes.

« this page last modified 08/26/04 »