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Tornado Preparedness

Tornadoes are violent, rotating storms with winds that can exceed 300 miles per hour.  Tornadoes can occur during thunderstorms and hurricanes and can be highly destructive.  Injuries and deaths from tornadoes most often are due to collapsed buildings and flying objects.  A NOAA Weather Radio will alert you to severe weather, such as tornado watches and warnings, and should be part of your disaster supplies kit.

How do you respond to a tornado threat? You should know the difference between a tornado watch and a warning. The National Weather Service issues a tornado watch when conditions are favorable in your area. This is the time to remind family members where the safest places within your home are and listen to the radio or television for further developments. A tornado warning is issued when a tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. Seek shelter immediately. Additionally:

• Know what to do if you are at home during a tornado. You should go to the basement, storm cellar, or lowest level of the building. If there is no basement, go to an inner hallway or a smaller inner room without windows, such as a bathroom or closet. Stay away from windows. Go to the center of the room – avoid corners as they tend to attract debris. Get under a sturdy piece of furniture – a work bench or heavy table – and hold on to it. Use your arms to protect your head and neck. If you are in a mobile home, get out and find shelter elsewhere.

• Know what to do if you are outdoors. If possible, get inside a building. If shelter is not available or there is no time to get indoors, lie in a ditch or low lying area or crouch near a strong building. Be aware of the potential for flooding. Use arms to protect your head and neck.

• If you’re in a car or truck never try to outdrive a tornado. Tornadoes can change direction quickly, life up a car or truck, and toss it through the air. Get out of the car immediately and take shelter in a nearby building. If there is no time to get indoors, get out of the car and lie in a ditch or low lying area away from the vehicle. Be aware of the potential for flooding.

• Conduct tornado drills each tornado season. FEMA is urging people who live in tornado-prone areas to make sure they have a tornado-safe place to go during a tornado. Designate an area in the home as a shelter and practice having everyone in the family go there in response to a tornado threat.

 Have disaster supplies on hand, including:

• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Portable, battery-operated radio and extra batteries
• First aid kit and manual
• Emergency food and water
• Non-electric can opener
• Essential medicines
• Cash and credit cards
• Sturdy shoes

• Develop an emergency communication plan. If family members are separated from one another, have a plan for getting back together. Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to serve as the family contact. After a disaster it’s often easier to call long distance. Make sure everyone in the family knows the name, address, and phone number of the contact person.

After a tornado:

• Help injured or trapped persons. Give first aid when appropriate. Don’t try to move the seriously injured unless they are in immediate danger of further injury. Call for help.

• Turn on your radio or television to get the latest emergency information. Stay out of damaged buildings – return home only when authorities say it is safe to do so. Use the telephone for emergency calls only. Clean up spilled medicines, bleaches, gasoline or other flammable liquids immediately. Leave the building if you smell gas or chemical fumes. For insurance purposes, take pictures of the damage – both to the house and its contents.

• Remember to help your neighbors who may require special assistance – infants, the elderly, and people with disabilities.

• Check for gas leaks – if you smell gas or hear a blowing or hissing noise, open a window and quickly leave the building. Turn off the gas at the outside main valve if you can and call the gas company from a neighbor’s home. If you turn off the gas for any reason, it must be turned back on by a professional.

• Look for electrical system damage – if you see sparks or broken/frayed wires, or if you smell hot insulation; turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker. If you have to step in water to get to the fuse box or circuit breaker, call an electrician first.

• Check for sewage and water lines damage – if you suspect sewage lines are damaged, avoid using toilets and call on a plumber. If water pipes are damaged, contact the water company and avoid using water from the tap.

Here’s an idea: You can melt ice cubes to obtain safe water.
Don’t wait until the tornado warning is issued to start grabbing supplies and thinking about what you should do. Plan ahead when it comes to tornadoes – take responsibility for your own safety. Remember that preparedness is the key to survival!

Phone:  410-535-1600 or 301-855-1243, ext. 2638
Fax:  410-535-3997; Email:  oem@co.cal.md.us