TORNADO SAFETY RULES

By

K. Tom Priddy

Extension Ag. Meteorologist

Nothing can prevent a tornado from occurring but by knowing the

safety rules we can keep deaths and injuries to a minimum.

WHAT IS A TORNADO WATCH?

A tornado watch means that tornados may develop.

* Watch the sky for threatening weather.

* Stay tuned to the radio or television or NOAA weather radio

for weather bulletins.

NOTE: Even if a watch is not announced, every thunderstorm is

potentially dangerous. Keep in touch with weather reports.

WHAT IS A TORNADO WARNING?

A tornado warning means that a tornado has been sighted or has

been indicated on the radar screen. Therefore, tornados are

already nearby.

* Seek shelter immediately, if you are in the warning area.

Preferred shelters include:

-Storm cellars

-Basements

-Underground excavators

-Steel-framed or concrete-reinforced buildings

IN A TORNADO WARNING, WHERE SHOULD YOU GO?

In-Homes

With a basement:

* Go to the basement. It offers greatest safety.

* Get under sturdy furniture, if possible.

* Stay away form windows.

Without a basement:

* Go to

- the lowest floor

- the center part of the house

- a small enclosed space, such as a closet or bath

* Get under sturdy furniture

* Stay away from windows

In Mobile Homes

* EVACUATE MOBILE HOMES when strong winds or tornados are

forecast. They are particularly vulnerable to overturning.

* Trailer parks should have community shelters. Take cover

there.

* If there is no shelter nearby,

- Leave the trailer park

- Take cover on low ground

NOTE: Keep your mobile home secured or anchored to the

ground to minimize damage.

In Schools, Hospitals and Shopping Centers

With steel-framed or concrete reinforced construction:

* Go to designated shelter areas. Interior hallways on

lowest floors are best.

Not with reinforced construction:

* Go to a nearby building that has reinforced construction.

* Take cover outside on low, protected ground.

STAY OUT OF STRUCTURES WITH WIDE, FREE-SPAN ROOFS, such as

auditoriums and gymnasiums.

In Open Country

* Move away from the tornado's path at right angles.

* Lie flat in the nearest ditch or ravine, if you don't have

time to escape.

In Your Car

DO NOT TRY TO OUTRUN A TORNADO.

If the tornado is in your path:

* Move away from the path at right angles.

* If you can get out of the path, get out of your vehicle.

* Take shelter in a sturdy structure, if available.

* Lie flat in the nearest ditch or depression, if no shelter

is available.

REMEMBER: The best way to deal with severe weather is

preparedness. Every individual and business should

have a tornado emergency plan for their homes and

places to work.

Tornados can occur any time. Be prepared before they happen.