This week is severe weather preparedness week. As a part of this, the tornado sirens went off this morning. With this in mind, we wanted to provide some basic tornado safety tips.
A tornado is essentially a violently rotating air column that appears as a funnel cloud. These clouds stick down from the sky and move on the ground in some path. They can last for a few minutes to a few hours (in extreme cases). Below, you will find some tornado safety tips and resources.
Tornado Safety Tips (House)
- Proceed to a safe shelter that is free of windows and is on the lowest level of the building. This can include areas like basements, bathrooms, and closets.
- In addition, bring something heavy to protect your head and neck. This could be a heavy book, furniture, or thick blankets.
- Pay attention to all weather reports for your area. Listen to local officials for additional directions.
Tornado Safety Tips (Car)
- Proceed to the nearest building. If no sturdy buildings are nearby, lay flat in the nearest ditch/culvert,
- Use something heavy to protect your head and neck. This can include heavy books and blankets.
- Pay attention to all weather reports for your area.
Tornado Safety Resources:
- Ready.gov website: https://www.ready.gov/tornadoes
- Ready.gov info sheet: https://www.ready.gov/sites/default/files/2020-03/tornado-information-sheet.pdf
- National Weather Service Page: https://www.weather.gov/bmx/sps_torsafetyrules
This is provided to you by Gavin Gunder
