Is Your Family Ready For A Tornado?

Forget The Wizard of Oz notion that "twisters" only happen in Kansas. Tornadoes have been reported in every state. And while they generally occur during spring and summer, they can happen anytime during the year.

Here's what you can do to prepare for such an emergency.

Prepare a Home Tornado Plan:

  • Pick a place where family members could gather if a tornado is headed your way. It could be your basement, a center hallway, bathroom, or closet on the lowest floor. Keep this place uncluttered.
  • If you are in a high-rise building, you may not have enough time to go to the lowest floor. Pick a place in a hallway in the center of the building.
  • Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit containing--
    • First aid kit and essential medications
    • Battery-powered radio, flashlight, and extra batteries
    • Canned food and can opener
    • Bottled water
    • Sturdy shoes and work gloves
  • Also include in the kit written instructions on how to turn off your home's utilities.
  • Conduct periodic tornado drills, so everyone remembers what to do when a tornado is approaching.

    Go here to find a printable Tornado Plan for your family to use. Print it out, fill it in, and put it where the whole family can see it!

Stay tuned for storm warnings:

  • Listen to your local radio and TV stations for updated storm information.
  • Know what a tornado WATCH and WARNING means--
    • A tornado WATCH means a tornado is possible in your area.
    • A tornado WARNING means a tornado has been sighted and may be headed for your area. Go to safety immediately.
    • Tornado WATCHES and WARNINGS are issued by the county or parish.

When a tornado WATCH is issued...

  • Listen to local radio and TV stations for further updates.
  • Be alert to changing weather conditions. Blowing debris or the sound of an approaching tornado may alert you. Many people say it sounds like a freight train.

When a tornado WARNING is issued...

  • If you are inside, go to the safe place you picked to protect yourself from glass and other flying objects. The tornado may be approaching your area.
  • If you are outside, hurry to the basement of a nearby sturdy building or lie flat in a ditch or low-lying area.
  • If you are in a car or mobile home, get out immediately and head for safety (as above).

After the tornado passes...

  • Watch out for fallen power lines and stay out of the damaged area.
  • Listen to the radio for information and instructions.
  • Use a flashlight to inspect your home for damage.

 

And remember...when a tornado, fire, earthquake, flood, hurricane, or other emergency happens in your community, you can count on your local American Red Cross chapter to be there to help you and your family. That's been the role of the Red Cross for more than 100 years.

 

For further information on tornadoes, ask for Tornado...Nature's Most Violent Storm from your local American Red Cross chapter, National Weather Service office, or emergency management office.

Brochure produced in cooperation with the American Red Cross, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.