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If a Tornado Warning is issued, take shelter immediately. Tornadoes are nature's most violent storms. Spawned from powerful thunderstorms, tornadoes can uproot trees and buildings and turn harmless objects into deadly missiles. They can devastate a neighborhood in seconds.
A tornado appears as a rotating, funnel-shaped cloud that extends to the ground with whirling winds that can reach 300 miles per hour. Damage paths can be in excess of one mile wide and 50 miles long. Every state is at some risk from this hazard.
Tornado Preparations
There are various precautions that can be taken to prepare for tornadoes. One of the most important is being aware of the four different tornado threats. Know these terms used to describe tornado threats:
- Tornado Watch: Tornadoes are possible. Stay tuned to radio or television reports.
- Tornado Warning: A tornado has been sighted. Take shelter immediately.
- Severe Thunderstorm Watch: Severe thunderstorms are possible.
- Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Severe thunderstorms are occurring.
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How to Prepare
Purchase a N.O.A.A. Weather Radio with a battery backup and
tone-alert feature which automatically alerts you when a Watch
or Warning is issued. Purchase a battery-powered commercial
radio and extra batteries as well.
Determine the best place to seek shelter. If an underground
shelter is not available, identify an interior room or hallway
on the lowest floor.
Practice going to your shelter with your family.
Know the locations of designated shelters in places where
you and your family spend time, such as public buildings,
nursing homes and shopping centers. Ask whether your children’s
schools have been inspected for shelter space by a registered
engineer or architect.
Have emergency supplies on hand.
Make an inventory of your possessions. Take photographs of
or videotape your belongings. Keep records in a safe deposit
box or some other safe place away from the premises.
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What to Do During a Tornado
When a tornado has been sighted, go to your shelter immediately.
Stay away from windows, doors and outside walls.
In a house or small building, go to an interior room on the
lower level (closets, interior hallways). Get under a sturdy
table, hold on and protect your head. Stay there until the
danger has passed.
In a school, nursing home, hospital, factory or shopping
center, go to pre-designated shelter areas. Interior hallways
on the lowest floor are usually safest. Stay away from windows
and open spaces.
In a high-rise building, go to a small, interior room or
hallway on the lowest floor possible.
In a vehicle, trailer or mobile home, get out immediately
and go to a more substantial structure.
If there is no shelter nearby, lie flat in the nearest ditch,
ravine or culvert with your hands shielding your head.
In a car, get out and take shelter in a nearby building.
Do not attempt to out-drive a tornado. They are erratic and
move swiftly.
If you are outside when a tornado hits and there is no shelter
nearby, lie flat in the nearest dry ditch with your hands
shielding your head.
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What to Do After a Tornado
After
a tornado has hit, it is still very important to act in a
cautious manner.
Look out
for broken glass and downed power lines.
Check
for injuries. Do not attempt to move seriously injured persons
unless they are in immediate danger of death or further injury.
If you must move an unconscious person, first stabilize the
neck and back, then call for help immediately.
If the
victim is not breathing carefully position the victim for
artificial respiration, clear the airway and commence mouth-to-mouth
resuscitation.
Maintain
body temperature with blankets. Be sure the victim does not
become overheated.
Never
try to feed liquids to an unconscious person.
Use great
caution when entering a damaged building. Be sure that walls,
ceiling and roof are in place and that the structure rests
firmly on the foundation. Wear sturdy work boots and gloves.
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Contacts
Contact
the Broward
County Emergency Management Division at (954) 831-3900
about the tornado threat in your area. Ask about community
warning signals.
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