Tornado Safety Guide: What You Need to Know

Tornado Safety Guide

A tornado safety guide is important for any organization in any location. Tornadoes can occur anywhere, but they are most common in Tornado Alley in the US, south-central and eastern Asia, northern and eastern South America, Southern Africa, northwestern and southeastern Europe, western and southeastern Australia and New Zealand.

Tornadoes are known by many names, but the safety tips are the same. Increase public safety by understanding the steps you should take before, during and after a tornado impacts your area.

Before

Preparing for a tornado is the first thing you can do to increase public safety. During any storm, listen to weather alerts from a reputable source like NOAA Weather Radio or the National Weather Service. Before a tornado occurs, you might experience the following weather conditions:

• Strong, persistent cloud rotation
• Whirling dust or debris
• Heavy hail or rain
• A sudden shift to calm or very fast moving winds
• A loud, continuous roar
• Funnel cloud
• Dark often greenish clouds

During

If you experience any signs of a tornado, check to see if there is a tornado watch or tornado warning in your area and move to a safe place. While no shelter is 100% safe from tornadoes, you should head to a storm cellar, basement or the lowest level of a building. Mobile homes are not safe during tornadoes. Safety during a tornado relies heavily on remembering safe areas and unsafe areas. Make sure you stay away from corners, doors, windows and outside walls.

In the case you are outside without a nearby shelter during a tornado, there are two things you can do. The first is to get into a vehicle. Put the seat belt on and keep your head down until the storm passes. If there’s no vehicle the last-resort option is to lie in an area lowest to the ground and cover yourself with a blanket or cushion.

After

Safety is important even after a tornado. Continue listening to local weather reports for updates and instructions. If your home or business sustained damage, make sure you stay away from fallen power lines. Watch out for gas leaks, and if you hear a hissing noise or smell gas you should open a window and evacuate everyone immediately. If you lose power, use battery powered flashlights rather than candles to avoid any accidental fires.