Severe Thunderstorms and Tornadoes: Protect Your Family

As the seasons change, many parts of the country get bombarded by thunderstorms. Here in the Southeast, springtime thunderstorms are a yearly ritual. So, unfortunately, are springtime tornadoes. Most people can recount stories of devastating storms and tornadoes that have struck their communities in years past. As the country gears up for yet another round of wild weather, please take time to prepare yourself and your family for these storms.

First, know what storms are and what kind of damage they can bring. Thunderstorms most often bring rain and lightning, but they can also bring hail and high winds as well. Because thunderstorms often drop a lot of water in a short amount of time, ponding and flash-flooding can occur. If the National Weather Service announces that there is a "Severe Thunderstorm" in your area, that means that they have either detected winds greater than 58mph or hail larger than 3/4". Additionally, severe thunderstorms can bring straight line winds or tornadoes, both of which have enough force to tear apart buildings - and people. When your weatherman is forecasting a severe thunderstorm, pay attention - this is no laughing matter.

Lightning is the most obvious danger in a thunderstorm. If a storm is forecast or has recently passed, have the good sense to stay indoors. Every year, people are struck by lightning because they think the thunderstorm has gone by. It is not safe to go play golf ten minutes after you hear the last rumble of thunder, guys. Neither is it safe to hop in the swimming pool. Showering or washing dishes during a thunderstorm is not safe. Best to stay inside, make some tea, and curl up with a cat and a good book.

Hail of any size can be damaging to crops and flower gardens. Larger hail can damage property, pets, and people. I know someone who stuck his head out the door to grab a particularly large hailstone off the ground. He was knocked unconscious by an even larger one (I kid you not!) and his wife dragged him back in the house, battered and bruised by the huge hailstones that were falling from the sky.

Tornadoes and high winds are are the other danger in a thunderstorm. While they certainly do not occur in every storm, when a "supercell" or severe thunderstorm is occurring, they are more likely. Most people who have been through a tornado say that right before it happens, the sky will turn color. Out West, that color is often a sickly greenish; here in the South it's often a pinkish color. The same seems to be true when there is no tornado, but damage from straight line winds occurs. Several years ago, I was working in downtown Greensboro, NC when all at once, thunder began to rumble. The sky turned an awful color. The wind began to whip like crazy - it was pretty scary! We tuned into a news and weather broadcast on the Internet, and discovered that two streets over, there was heavy damage. We thought at first there must have been a tornado, but the Weather Service said that it had been straight line winds. Really, it didn't matter to us... that wind alone could do that was shocking.

I advocate that every family purchase a weather radio. These range in cost from "very cheap" to "gold plated, diamond encrusted, deluxe" - I recommend a model that will turn on in case of an emergency in your immediate area, and stay quiet the rest of the time. If the power goes out, you will still know what is going on. If you do not own a radio, keeping a television or radio turned to a local news station during storm season and listening for the beeps of a weather alert is your best defense. Train everyone in your household to pay attention when that annoying noise comes on the air - it may just save their lives. Pay particular attention to "watches" and "warnings". A "Severe Thunderstorm Watch" or "Tornado Watch" means that conditions are right for a severe thunderstorm or tornado to occur. A "Severe Thunderstorm Warning" or "Tornado Warning" means that a severe thunderstorm or tornado has been detected on radar. Watches and Warnings are generally issued for a particular geographic area - a city, county, or part of a county. Usually Severe Thunderstorm Warnings and Tornado warnings will come with the order to take cover. Don't mess around if the order is issued - do it! Even if there's times when you take cover and nothing happens... there may be that one time when something DOES. If you're not in a safe place, you will regret it.

A number of years before we bought our home, a tornado ripped through our front yard. We heard about it from our neighbors, who also had extensive damage to their home from that storm. It tore down a huge oak tree and put it through the living room and master bedroom. Had anyone been at home, watching television, at the time - they would likely have been killed. Just food for thought.

Before storm season, clean up your yard. "Batten down the hatches" is our motto - anything small and unattached can become a missile in a tornado or strong thunderstorm. Trim any trees that you know might break, and if there are any which overhang power lines, call your power company to trim those (don't try it yourself!).

You and your family should have a safety plan. This should include a disaster drill that you have actually practiced. Outline two escape routes from your home in case of fire (caused by lightning - or any other non-storm reason), and two places to go in case of high winds, such as in a severe thunderstorm or tornado. Some homes have storm cellars. If yours doesn't, basements, bathrooms, and rooms with interior closets are the safest. If you can, cover yourself so that you are protected from flying debris. If you have children, you should also give them clear instruction regarding what to do if you are not at home and there is a weather warning, or if they are playing outside and see lightning.

It's not enough to simply talk about your severe weather safety plan. Practice it. After what happened in Florida in December of 2006, it's not enough to practice it. Those storms came in the middle of the night. What would your small child, or even teenager, do if a severe thunderstorm or tornado struck at four in the morning? If you've prepared your family well, they should be able to handle a situation like this.

Your plan should also include two locations outside your home where your family can meet or call in case leaving your home becomes necessary. Most families establish one location - somewhere within sight of your house that you can meet. The end of your driveway, a neighbor's house, or across the street may all be excellent locations in case of fire or similar disaster. You should also have a second location in case of a greater emergency such as a tornado or flood - your church or children's school, for example. In a community disaster, communications - even cell phones - may not work. It can be difficult when families who were separated by work and school need to reconnect. Having a plan in place puts everyone more at ease and is much safer than having to search for each other.

Your family should plan for how to cope in a variety of situations. A tornado could knock out the power for a few days... What will you drink? What will you eat? How will you stay warm? What will you do if a big tree falls on your car and you can't get to a shelter? If you have working flashlights, batteries, food, and water in readiness, you can wait for the power to come back on in some comfort. The Red Cross recommends that families store one gallon of water per person, per day. If you can store two weeks' worth of water, do so. If not, store what you can. If you know that a severe thunderstorm is coming that might knock out power, fill your bathtubs. This water will not be potable for drinking, but you can use it for sanitation (flushing and washing). You can also stock up on some canned goods (make sure you own a can opener). It doesn't hurt, if you have the space to store one, to own a small camp stove and kerosene heater. If you are faced with this situation, though, be sure to be safe: carbon monoxide is a silent killer. Read and follow instructions and safety precautions.

You should also have a plan for your pets. It's hard to plan ahead for what to do in case of a disaster, because there are so many variables. Talking to your vet about how to handle basic emergencies, and being prepared for what your particular pet may need, will put you ahead in this department.

Write out your plans, and review them at the start of each storm season. Stock up on any supplies that you do not already have, and refresh items like batteries each year. With careful preparedness, you and your family can make it through storm season safely!