Many tornadoes do not lift houses into the air. Rather, they can do heavy damage to structures, create flying debris, and also cause injuries or worse. Annually in the U.S., you will find an average of 1,000 recorded tornadoes which cause 1,500 accidents and 80 deaths. Here’s the way to get ready for a tornado and how to remain safe during and after one.
Before
- Find out your community’s tornado risk — tornadoes are most common in the Midwest and the Southeast from the U.S.
- Create a disaster preparedness plan with your loved ones, in addition to a crisis kit. Establish where to take refuge and where to meet after a disaster. Practice a tornado drill at least once a year. Be prepared to safeguard your pets in a crisis, too.
- Know the signs of a tornado: rotating clouds, turning dust or debris on the floor, and a constant roar.
- Know the difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning. A wristwatch is when the conditions are right for tornadoes to form, and a warning signals the approach of an existing tornado. Stay alert for weather reports.
- Protect your home:
- Make a list of things to bring indoors when a tornado is coming.
- Reduce the number of loose items on your lawn.
- Install permanent shutters on windows.
- Reinforce garage doors.
Throughout
- If you are in a house, avoid windows and proceed to the lowest area like the basement. If there is no basement, go to the lowest floor in a room with no windows, such as the bathroom or internal hallway.
- If you are in an office building, hospital, or high-rise building, do not use the lift. Take shelter on a lower level, away from windows and glass.
- Get beneath some type of protection like a sturdy table. Protect yourself with thick paddings, like a blanket or mattress. Crouch as low as possible facing down and cover your head with your hands.
- If you’re in a mobile home, go into a safe building instantly. Many tornadoes can mess even a tied-down mobile house.
- If you’re in a vehicle or outdoors, don’t try to outrun a tornado. Escape the car and locate shelter underground or in a nearby building. Don’t go beneath bridges or highway overpasses. If you can’t reach a safe location, protect your head with your arms and then cover your body with a coat or blanket.
- Listen to alerting systems like NOAA Weather Radio for up-to-date emergency information and directions.
After
- Make certain the storm has passed and gone to a safe place. Don’t return home until local authorities say it is safe. Let your loved ones know you are safe and assess your family’s security. Help individuals who are injured.
- If you are trapped, prevent breathing in the dust by covering your mouth with a cloth or mask. Do not shout — deliver a text, hit a pipe or wall socket, or utilize a whistle instead.
- Stay away from downed wires, damaged buildings, and harmful debris like broken glass or sharp objects.
- Do not use matches, lighters, and candles — there may be natural gas leaks nearby.
Hurricanes are also quite frequent natural disasters you should prepare yourself for. Check out the best way to stay safe during a hurricane. For emergency flooding repair, water damage restoration service, or mold removal solutions, contact your local PuroClean office for more information.
