Severe Weather Awareness - Tornado Safety (2024)

The months of March through May are known as our traditional springSevere Weather Season. Oursecondary fallSevere WeatherSeason also exists from November through mid-December. Our region is one of the fewlocations in the world that has two distinct severe weather seasons.TORNADO
defined as a violently rotating column of air that isin contact with the ground. If the circulation is not on the ground, then it is defined as a funnel cloud.Tornadoes usually descend from thunderstorms.Wind speeds in tornadoes can range from65 mph to 318 mph (the highest tornado wind speed ever recorded). Your safety depends on being constantly aware of the possibility of severe weather.

Tornado WATCH
means that conditions arefavorable for the development of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes in and close to the watch area.A watch is normally issued for a large area covering numerous counties. The watch is intended to giveyou time to review your safety rules. The sky may be sunny, butweather changes can take place quite rapidly.

Tornado WARNING
means that a developing tornado has beendetected by National Weather Service Doppler Radar or has been reported on the ground by reliable sources.A Tornado Warning istypically issued for a portion of counties at a time and usually lasts no more than 45 minutes.If a Tornado Warning is issued foryour county, you should seek shelter immediately.If you see atornado or feel threatened, move to a safe place immediately, asprecious seconds can save your life.

Tornado Safety Rules:

If you are in a home or small business:
Go to the basem*nt or a small interior room such as a closet, bathroom, or interior hallway without windows on the lowest level.Put as many wallsbetween yourself and the outside as possible.If possible, get under something sturdy, such as a heavy table, or use a mattress toprotect yourself from flying debris.Most injuries associated with high winds are from flying debris, so remember to protect your head. If available, put on a bicycle or motorcycle helmet toprotect yourself from head injuries.

If you are in a large business, school, hospital, shoppingcenter, or factory:
Go to the designated shelter area.If ashelter area is not available, the best place is to go to an interior hallway on the lowest level. Stay away from the structurally weaker portions of buildings, such as windows and rooms with expansiveroofs, which are more likely to collapse when tornadoes strike.

If you are in a mobile home or home on stilts:
Get out and take shelterin a sturdy building or storm shelter. If there is not one nearby, take shelter in the most interior room thathas no windows, such as an interior bathroom or closet.