Tornado Safety Rules - Essential Guidelines for Protecting Your Family

 From the National Weather Service

Here are some key definitions and guidelines to help keep you and your family safe:

Tornado Watch: Issued when conditions are favorable for tornado development. People in the watch area should monitor the sky and stay tuned to NOAA weather radio or local media for updates. The watch gives you time to prepare and review your safety procedures.

Tornado Warning: Issued when a tornado has been detected by radar or reported. The warning is usually for one or two counties and lasts an hour or less. The storm may also produce large hail and destructive straight-line winds. If a tornado warning includes your location, you should seek safe shelter immediately.

When a tornado threatens, take these safety precautions to protect yourself and your family:

Get to the lowest level possible. A basement or the lowest floor of a sturdy building offers the greatest protection. Put as many walls between you and the outside as you can, and avoid windows at all costs.

Don't wait until you see or hear the tornado - by then, it may be too late. Act quickly to find a safe shelter, rather than wasting time opening or closing doors and windows, which won't protect the structure.

In homes or public buildings, go to the basement or a small interior room like a closet, bathroom, or hallway on the lowest level. Close doors to the hallway for added protection. If possible, get under a sturdy table. Use pillows, coats, or helmets to shield yourself from flying debris.

If you're in a mobile home, leave well before the severe weather arrives and seek shelter in a strong building. If no shelter is available, lie flat in a low-lying area like a ditch or culvert, covering your head with your hands.

If caught outdoors, avoid highway overpasses and find the nearest ditch or stay in your vehicle, covering your head. Avoid situations where no sturdy shelter is available.

Remember, the key is to get as low and as protected as possible, and never try to outrun a tornado. Your safety should be the top priority.

Prepare an Emergency Kit Ahead of Time

In the aftermath of a natural disaster, local officials and emergency personnel will respond, but they may not be able to reach you immediately. Therefore, you need to have the necessary supplies on hand to help you survive until assistance arrives. Experts recommend having an emergency kit that can sustain you for at least 3 days, though you may need to be self-sufficient for up to a week. The kit should include:

Water: One gallon per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
Food: At least a three-day supply of non-perishable items
Battery-powered or hand crank radio, NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert, and extra batteries
Flashlight and extra batteries
First aid kit
Whistle to signal for help
Dust mask, plastic sheeting, and duct tape to shelter in place
Moist towelettes, garbage bags, and plastic ties for personal sanitation
Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities

Can opener (if kit contains canned food)
Local maps
Cell phone with chargers, inverter, or solar charger

By preparing this comprehensive emergency kit ahead of time, you can ensure your safety and survival until emergency responders are able to reach you.

Recommended Emergency Preparedness Items:

Prescription medications and eyeglasses
Infant formula and diapers
Pet food and extra water for your pets
Cash, traveler's checks, and coins
Important family documents (e.g., insurance policies, identification, bank records) in a waterproof, portable container
Emergency reference materials like a first aid book or information from www.ready.gov

Additionally, pack the following for each person:

Sleeping bag or warm blanket
Complete change of clothing, including long-sleeved shirt, long pants, and sturdy shoes (consider extra clothing for cold-weather climates)
Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper - Dilute 9 parts water to 1 part bleach for disinfecting or treating water (do not use scented, color-safe, or bleaches with added cleaners)

Other recommended items:

Fire extinguisher
Waterproof matches
Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
Mess kits, paper cups/plates/utensils, paper towels
Paper and pencil
Books, games, puzzles, or other activities for children

It's crucial to have a disaster plan in place. Your family may be separated when disaster strikes, so you need to plan how to contact and reunite with them. Every family member should know what to do in different emergency situations.

Therefore, it's imperative to plan ahead. Identify an out-of-town emergency contact, as it may be easier to make a long-distance call than one across town. Ensure each family member knows the contact's phone number and has a way to call them, whether it's a cell phone, coins, or a prepaid card. Program the contact as "ICE" (In Case of Emergency) in your phone, as emergency personnel often check these listings.

Additionally, teach your family to use text messaging, as it can get through network disruptions when voice calls can't. Subscribe to local alert services to receive instant notifications about weather, road closures, and emergencies. Taking these proactive steps can help your family stay connected and safe during a disaster.

Prepare a Comprehensive Family Emergency Plan using the New Online Family Emergency Planning Tool created by the Ready Campaign and the Ad Council. Additionally, inquire about emergency plans at places your family frequents, such as work, daycare, and school. If no plans exist, consider volunteering to help create one. Discuss emergency preparedness with your neighbors to coordinate a community response. Planning ahead and communicating with others could save your life and the lives of your loved ones in an emergency situation.