How to serve from tornado
How to
serve from tornado
It is
often said that tornadoes are nature's most violent storms, and for good
reason. Not only do tornadoes carry winds up to 300 mph (480 km/h)--winds that
can level buildings and carry cars through the air 80 feet (25 m) or more--they
are also often accompanied by lightning, heavy rains (and flash floods), and
hail. When a tornado strikes, your every choice can mean the difference between
life and death.
Tips
·
Waterspouts, tornadoes
that form over water, pose a special problem. While they are generally weaker
and slower than tornadoes on land, it's not possible to seek shelter on the
open water. If waterspouts have been sighted in the area, get out of the water,
if possible. If you're in the water when a waterspout hits, experts recommend
trying to avoid it by sailing at right angles to its path, not straight
away from it. If a strike is imminent, it's probably best to dive overboard, as
you then have a better chance of avoiding injury from flying debris, if your
boat gets torn to pieces. If you are on land and a waterspout is very close to
shore, you are not necessarily safe, for a waterspout may come on land;
however, then they often become weak, but sometimes one won't become weak,
going inland, but will become a tornado.
·
If your home has been
hit by a tornado, turn off utilities, especially gas and electric, once the
tornado danger has passed. If you smell something that is burning or if you see
a spark, get out immediately. It could start a fire.
·
Purchase self powered
lights and self powered radios, light sticks. After a tornado hits, you
may not be able to find badly needed batteries. Radio Shack
has the self powered radio, Walmart sells self powered flashlights and glow
sticks. Use of candles and lighting cigarettes or smoking is ill advised due to
the possibility that gas lines have been by the storm releasing potentially
explosive gases.
·
Remain calm and try to
keep your family together during and after the tornado. Provide first aid as
needed. Even get duplicate packs if necessary.
·
In large, multistory
buildings without basements, interior stairwells are usually good places to
seek shelter. Try to get to the lowest floor possible. A room in the center of
your house or a bathroom is also good...why a bathroom? The
"foundation" is reinforced by pipes, and the tornado's high winds
will only damage it, and not completely destroy it.
·
Your pantry, if you
have one, would be a good form of shelter but in really violent tornadoes (F4
and F5), watch out for stairs falling on you. If possible get under a really
strong table.
·
Contrary to popular
belief, opening the windows of a house will not reduce tornado damage. In fact,
it may increase damage from weaker tornadoes by drawing more debris inside the
house.
·
Understand what a
tornado watch and a tornado warning means.
o A tornado watch means that
there is a threat of tornadoes within the accompanied area (usually a red box
surrounding the affected area on Doppler Radar) and that you should keep an eye
on the news. A tornado watch usually comes after a severe thunderstorm warning
and that the clouds could be capable of producing rotation that can eventually
turn into a mesocyclone and then a tornado. Tornado watches are not as serious
as a tornado warning but it does not mean that you should forget about it. Such
clouds that are involved in a tornado watch are cumulonimbus and nimbus clouds.
Keep an eye on the time as you can point out whether the
clouds are dark or light depending on the time. 75% of the time, tornado
watches will go out without any sign of tornadoes but if a tornado has been
detected, read on.
o A tornado warning is much
more serious. Tornado warnings mean that a sign of rotation has been detected
on Doppler Radar and that you should take immediate action depending on the
tornado's location and it's predicted (usually right) track. Don't worry; if
the actual tornado has been sighted the tornado siren will sound throughout the entire area.
Get the stuff needed in the kit in the Things You'll Need section of the
article. Some people tend to call tornado watches a threat, tornado warnings
mean a possible tornado has been detected, and tornado danger as
the actual tornado touches down.
o Many tornadoes strike during the evening
hours, be sure to have closed toe shoes either stored at your shelter location
or ready to be put on in case of tornado weather. In the aftermath of a storm
there will be debris everywhere that can cause severe lacerations.
·
If you are stuck on
the highway and know a tornado is coming, and there is no way to find any
indoor shelter, pull over to the side of the road immediately. Go to the side
of the road closest to the tornado, and find a low ditch. Lie face-down with
your hands over your head and neck. Despite how dangerous this sounds, physics
will cause most of the debris to miss you. It is harder for a tornado to throw
anything at you if you are lower to the ground. Debris will fly over you, not
on top of you.
·
If you here tornado
sirens and you do not see the tornado still take shelter.
Thinks You will also
need
·
Flashlight
Flashlight
·
Batteries
·
Battery-powered
radio
·
Self-powered
radio
·
Self-powered
flashlight
·
Glow sticks (Candles may ignite gas)
·
Clean
clothes
·
First-aid
kit
·
5–10
gallons (18.9–37.9 L) of water
·
Non-perishable
foods
·
Cell
phone
Take care...............