Guide to Tornado Safety

In reviewing the safety measures of a tornado, the conclusion is that there is no guaranteed safety inside a tornado. The most violent tornadoes can level and blow away almost any dwelling and it's occupants. Although, most tornadoes are weaker and can be survived using several safety measures. Always have prevention and practice rules before the storm. Start a yearly family drill, know where you are going to take shelter, and know where to meet after the storm. Your shelter space should include thick blankets, sleeping bags, and mattresses to use for protective coverings.

Know the signs of a tornado. Keep an eye on the sky. A dark and greenish sky is one of the first signs that tornadoes give of their presence. If you see a green sky and you think that a tornado may be coming, you'll want to check your local forecast and look for other signs of impending tornadoes. Before a tornado appears, oftentimes hail will fall from the sky. The hail is usually larger in size, but can be smaller. If it's a warm day and hail suddenly falls from the sky, seek cover. A tornado may be on the way. There will be hail or heavy rain followed by a dead calm or a fast intense wind shift. Right before a tornado, the air may go suddenly still and quiet. Oftentimes people will think that a tornado is associated with raging winds and thunder and lightening. This isn't always the case. Many times a tornado will be precipitated by quiet and stillness. If you see an approaching cloud of debris, it means a tornado is on the way. You will see a strong continuous rotation in the cloud base with dust and debris under the cloud base. Don't wait to see a funnel. Take cover immediately. An approaching cloud of debris means that there's little time to get to safety, so don't wait. Many tornadoes are wrapped up in heavy precipitation and can't be seen. You will hear a loud continuous rumble which will not fade in a few seconds like the sound of thunder. At night there could be a small bright, green to white flashes near the ground. This could mean that power lines are being snapped by strong winds, maybe a tornado. You will see the lowering of the cloud base, illuminated by lightning if it is on the ground, or you will see a blue-green-white power flash from beneath the cloud base.

Tune in to your local television station, or radio, or the NOAA Weather Radio, to stay alert for warnings. A tornado watch means a tornado could develop, and a tornado warning means a tornado has been spotted.

There is an old misconception of opening the windows to equalize pressure in the house, which is useless. The main focus should be safety for you and your family. Every community should have a safety plan in place. Schools should have drills regularly. Office buildings, or shopping centers should have a tornado safety plan.

If you are in a house or a basement, you should avoid windows. You can get under a heavy table or cover yourself with a mattress, and know where heavy objects are in the room and do not get near them since they can fall on you and crush you. If you are in a house with no basement or you're in a dorm room or apartment, you should go to the lower floor to the center room, for example, a bathroom or closet. If you are in a tall building, office, or hospital, you should go to an area with no windows, to protect yourself from flying glass. Crouch low on the floor and cover your head with your hands. Getting to an interior stairwell is even better shelter, allowing you to get to the lower floor. Please stay away from elevators. You could be trapped if the power is lost.

Mobile homes are very dangerous in a storm. Get out and seek appropriate shelter. Try to get to a sturdy building within running distance. Trailer parks should have community storm shelters. If there is no shelter nearby, leave the trailer park and take cover on low protected ground away from trees, or anything that could fall on you. Schools should have safety drills to follow. Students should go to the interior hallway or room in an orderly manner, then crouching low with head down, and protecting the back of the head with the arms. Gyms and auditoriums should be avoided.

Vehicles are dangerous in a tornado. Never try to outrun a tornado. A person should park the car as quickly and safely as possible, out of traffic lanes. Get out of the car and seek shelter in a sturdy building. If you are out in the country, run to low ground, away from other cars which could roll over you. Next, you should lie flat on the ground, face down, protecting the back of your head with your arms. Avoid seeking shelter under bridges, which could create traffic hazards, and would not protect you from flying debris.

If you are outdoors in the open, you should lie flat, and face down on low ground, protecting your head with your arms. Do not lie near trees or cars; they can be blown onto you in a tornado. If you are in a shopping mall or large store, look for interior bathroom, storage room, or another enclosed room away from windows. Watch for others, and do not panic. Also, do not panic if you are in a church or theater. Move quickly to an interior hallway or bathroom away from windows, then crouch down covering the back of your head with your arms. If you have no time to do that, immediately get under the pews covering your head with your arms or hands.

Keep the family together after the tornado and wait for emergency personnel to arrive. Give aid to those who are injured. Stay away from power lines, or puddles that may have wires in them, since they could still carry electricity in them. Avoid stepping on sharp objects. Stay out of damaged houses, they could collapse. Do not use matches or lighters, for there could be natural gas pipe leaks, or fuel tanks nearby. Stay calm and alert and listen for instructions from emergency crews or local officials.