How to Prepare for a Tornado
More than 500 people lost their lives in 2011 due to the devastating natural disaster; tornadoes (2011 Tornado Death Toll, 2011). Tornadoes can develop in any location at any particular time of the year. They are produced in warm, moist air in advance of eastward-moving cold fronts. (Tornadoes…Nature’s Most Violent Storms, 2011). Not only do the converging winds create a devastating funnel, however, they produce winds up to 250 miles per hour which can knock out entire cities and wipe out an individual’s entire life (Why Talk About Tornadoes, 2011). Knowing the conditions tornadoes form under, individuals should take precautionary standards to prepare. To initially prepare for disaster, individuals should stayed tuned to their National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration weather radios, broadcast weather reports and weather warnings. They are useful devices that individuals who live in tornado alley should purchase because they are able to stay tuned to the radio to receive professional tornado watch and warning signals (Tornadoes…Nature’s Most Violent Storms, 2011).
If an individual is stuck in a circumstance where there is no electronic device that can provide tornado warnings they should have knowledge on the environmental cues that occur in the environment. As seen in Figure 1 taken from the National Severe Storms Laboratory, this is a typical image that is commonly associated with tornadoes. However, the environmental cues that indicate of a tornado warning is dark, often greenish skies, wall clouds or approaching clouds of debris, still air, and a loud roar that sounds similar to a freight train (Warning Signs, 2011). Other cues that develop in the environment are large anvil-shaped thunder cloud, hail or unseasonable snow, green lighting, sudden change in humidity wind direction or wind speed and a sudden change in air pressure (How To Prepare For Tornadoes, 2011). Recognizing these environmental cues can save an individual’s life by being able to successfully and safely taking precautions.
While it is important to know the environmental cues of a natural disaster, developing an emergency plan beforehand can also contribute to saving lives. Developing a family tornado safety plan is one of the two plans that are commonly devised in order to prepare for a tornado. The first thing that should be done to progress in the development is gathering information about the causes and potential damages of tornadoes. This allows families to become as educated as possible about the potential hazards, such as violent, high speed winds, flying debris, and heavy rain, to help them create the best plan possible to keep their family safe (Why Talk About Tornadoes, 2011). The next step that should be done in creating a family tornado safety plan is choosing a designated meeting place, such as a place in the basement away from windows, or in a tornado, which is displayed in Figure 2. By assigning these spots in low lying areas in basements and as far away from windows allows individuals to be able to protect themselves from flying debris that can break through the windows and potentially take the lives of many individuals. The last thing that should be done in creating a family disaster plan is practicing the plan (Why Talk About Tornadoes, 2011). By practicing the plan everyone will stay calm, successfully implement the plan, and protect themselves when a disaster strikes.
In addition to the family tornado safety plan, a school disaster safety plan should be devised for students and teachers. All schools should have a severe weather plan, implemented by school administration that should be practiced frequently within the school building. Practicing the plan will keep children under control when an emergency takes place during school hours and nothing will be ambiguous. When devising the structure to the plan, the first thing that should be determined is the designated shelter spot. Just as in a family plan, the shelter spot should be located on the lowest floor of the school, in a windowless, interior hallway. While in the designated shelter spot, the students and teachers should assume the tornado protection position (Tornadoes…Nature’s Most Violent Storms, 2011). The tornado protection position, is displayed in Figure 3, where the child is hunched over in the position called, child’s pose, where the individual’s hands over the back of his or her head. (Tornadoes…Nature’s Most Violent Storms, 2011). This pose is taken to help protect a child’s head or neck if the eye of the tornado is to hit the school causing shattered windows and missing building structures.
One key aspect of making these plans work is making sure that everyone including, physically disabled individuals are able to successfully and quickly reach the designated shelter spot (Tornado’s…Nature’s Most Violent Storms, 2011). By taking these precautions, everyone will be able to safely survive the natural disaster.
The next thing to do in preparing for tornado disaster is knowing what to do when the tornado actually strikes. Individuals who are located in a house should move to the pre-designated shelter spot or the basement. If there is not basement located in the building or the house, individuals should move to the interior of a hallway on the lowest floor and get under a sturdy piece of furniture. If an individual is in a car, they should exit their vehicle and lie in the lowest, flattest area around them. Lastly, if an individual resides in a mobile home, they should abandon their home and also find the lowest, flattest area or should enter a tornado safe shelter. (Tornadoes…Nature’s Most Violent Storms, 2011).
In addition to implementing a safety plan and practicing it, is important to realize that after a tornado strikes, precautions and actions must still be taken. Individuals should look for and help the injured or trapped persons, along with watch out for fallen power lines or broken gas lines and report them to the utility company immediately (Why Talk About Tornadoes, 2011). Individuals should also listen to a local radio weather station or television station for updated information and instructions. Furthermore, individuals should stay away from damaged areas, be cautious when entering damaged buildings, and look for electrical system damage and gas leaks (Why Talk about Tornadoes, 2011).
Another important aspect in preparing for a tornado is to be aware of how to protect houses from potential tornado damage. Trees and shrubs in a yard should be trimmed in order to allow the wind to blow through them. Removing debris from the yard, installing permanent shutters to windows, and strengthening garage doors will help protect homes from the harsh conditions a tornado can inflict on structures and the environment as well (Why Talk About Tornados, 2011). By applying all these minor changes to homes, individuals can increase chances of preventing damage their homes. In turn this saves money in damage costs and even contributes to their own safety and protection.
By knowing the necessary precautions to take before, during, and after a tornado, several thousand lives can be saved and injuries can be prevented. Figure 5, is an overview of the precautionary measures that should be taken during the entire process of the tornado. In addition to everything previously mentioned, it is a good idea for individuals to always have an emergency disaster kit prepared in an accessible place. Figure 4, is an emergency kit that can provide individuals care and supplies for several days, in situations of dire circumstances. Emergency kits should include “flashlight and extra batteries, portable radio, first aid kit and a manual, emergency food and water, non-electric can opener, essential medicines, cash and credit cards, and sturdy shoes” (Preparing for a Tornado, 2011). Therefore, when preparing for a tornado, not only should individuals have an emergency kit, but they should also listen to the radio and use other resources to be aware of a potential disaster brewing, have a tornado safety plan ready to execute (this means having practiced it!), and make changes around the house to protect it from damage. Furthermore, after disaster does strike, it is vital to search for those in need of medical attention and report any dangerous damages to the appropriate party. The most important thing to remember though is staying calm and being prepared will help save the lives of many.
Page created by the "How to Prepare for a Tornado Research Group" at Illinois State University, Geology 207 Honors Section: Julianne La Fleur, Mia Gilliam, Allyssa Massarelli, Melissa Brount and Ben Zehr
References:
Bounds, G. (n.d.). Storm Shelters Tornado Shelters Safe Rooms. Storm Shelters Tornado Shelters Safe Rooms. Retrieved October 19, 2011, from http://www.stormsaferoom.com
Department of Commerce., Weather Service. (n.d.). Tornadoes....Nature's Most Violent Storms. NOAA's National Severe Storms Laboratory. Retrieved October 11, 2011, from http://www.nssl.noaa.gov/edu/safety/tornadoguide.html
FEMA. (n.d.). Preparing for a Tornado. Emergency Essentials. Retrieved October 11, 2011, from http://beprepared.com/article.asp?ai=24
Jenkins, C. (n.d.). 2011 tornado death toll tops 500 and season not over| Reuters. Business & Financial News, Breaking US & International News | Reuters.com. Retrieved November 4, 2011, from http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/05/26/us-weather-tornadoes-records-idUSTRE74P77Z20110526
Purcell, P. (2011, February 10). How to Prepare for Tornadoes. Emergency Preparedness and Supplies. Retrieved October 11, 2011, from http://www.oasisv.com/2011/02/how-to-prepare-for-tornadoes.html
Tornado Emergency Kits. (n.d.). Emergency Kits - Go Kits - Survival Kits. Retrieved October 19, 2011, from http://www.readysetgokits.com/Tornados/
Warning Signs that a Tornado May Develop -- Emergency Medical Services Authority. (n.d.). -- Emergency Medical Services Authority. Retrieved October 16, 2011, from http://www.emsaonline.com/mediacenter/articles/00000184.html
Why Talk About Tornadoes. (n.d.). The Disaster Center - Home Page. Retrieved October 11, 2011, from http://www.disastercenter.com/guide/tornado.html
Department of Commerce., Weather Service. (n.d.). Tornadoes....Nature's Most Violent Storms. NOAA's National Severe Storms Laboratory. Retrieved October 11, 2011, from http://www.nssl.noaa.gov/edu/safety/tornadoguide.html
FEMA. (n.d.). Preparing for a Tornado. Emergency Essentials. Retrieved October 11, 2011, from http://beprepared.com/article.asp?ai=24
Jenkins, C. (n.d.). 2011 tornado death toll tops 500 and season not over| Reuters. Business & Financial News, Breaking US & International News | Reuters.com. Retrieved November 4, 2011, from http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/05/26/us-weather-tornadoes-records-idUSTRE74P77Z20110526
Purcell, P. (2011, February 10). How to Prepare for Tornadoes. Emergency Preparedness and Supplies. Retrieved October 11, 2011, from http://www.oasisv.com/2011/02/how-to-prepare-for-tornadoes.html
Tornado Emergency Kits. (n.d.). Emergency Kits - Go Kits - Survival Kits. Retrieved October 19, 2011, from http://www.readysetgokits.com/Tornados/
Warning Signs that a Tornado May Develop -- Emergency Medical Services Authority. (n.d.). -- Emergency Medical Services Authority. Retrieved October 16, 2011, from http://www.emsaonline.com/mediacenter/articles/00000184.html
Why Talk About Tornadoes. (n.d.). The Disaster Center - Home Page. Retrieved October 11, 2011, from http://www.disastercenter.com/guide/tornado.html