How to Survive a Deadly Tornado
Tornadoes are impressive and terrifying meteorological phenomena generated by severe thunderstorms. The swirling wind that makes up these eddies can reach speeds of up to 300 miles per hour and destroy everything in its path. Deadly!
On the plus side: Twisters don’t kill as many people compared to some other natural disasters—only about 80 people die from tornadoes in a given year in the US—but you should still be prepared, especially if you live in a tornado-prone area. part of the country.
What to do before a tornado
To maximize your chances of surviving a tornado, follow these simple steps.
- Determine your level of risk : In the US, the Midwest and Southeast regions are most affected by tornadoes, but in theory a tornado could land anywhere. Oklahoma City, located in the center of “Tornado Alley “, is the most tornado-affected city in the United States.
- Know Your Warning Systems : Tornado warnings are distributed by outdoor sirens in some locations, local TV and radio stations, cable TV systems, mobile phone apps, and NOAA weather radio. Don’t rely on one source of information – double (or triple).
- Plan where you will go in the event of a tornado . The best place to go during a tornado is a FEMA safe house or storm shelter built to ICC 500 standards . If you haven’t built or bought one yet, you want to retire to a small, windowless interior room on the lowest level of your home, preferably in the basement.
- If you live in a trailer: You need to find shelter from the storm outside of your dwelling. Trailers are not very good at resisting tornadoes.
- Practice: Once you know where to go, practice getting there quickly and safely. Don’t forget your pet!
- Prepare an emergency kit : Your all-in-one home emergency kit should contain water, food, a flashlight, first aid supplies, and more. Check out this shopping list straight from the federal government for a more detailed list of supplies on offer.
What do National Weather Service tornado terms mean?
- Tornado Watch: This means that weather conditions for tornadoes will be favorable for the next few hours. It usually covers a large area of several cities, counties, or even states. If you hear this, keep a close eye on your sources of information.
- Tornado Warning: This means that a tornado has been seen or detected by weather radar. If you hear any of this, it’s time to act – danger to life and property is imminent.
- Tornado Emergency : This is the National Weather Service screaming at you that a tornado is coming and things are going to get worse . This means that significant, widespread damage is expected, with a high probability of numerous casualties.
What to do during a tornado
If you are very lucky, you can have up to an hour of warning that you are in the path of a tornado, but the average warning time is about 15 minutes, which should be enough time to get to your shelter or ask yourself. why were you too lazy to build one.
- Cover yourself: Expecting fate to either destroy your home or spare it, you should cower in your hiding place, covering yourself with blankets and furniture, using your hands to protect your head and neck. The main hazard in a tornado is flying debris.
- Stay up to date: Check your battery powered radio for updates.
- If you’re inside but not at home when a tornado hits : The worst place for you is a “large span building” such as a mall, theater, gym, or Amazon warehouse. The basic rule is the same as at home: go to the lowest level of the building, stay away from windows, and protect your head and neck from flying debris.
- If you are in a car when a tornado hits : Do not try to run away from it. If you have time, drive up to the shelter and climb inside. If there is no cover, stop, duck under windows, fasten your seat belt, and protect your head and neck. Or abandon your car and take cover in a low area, such as a ditch or ravine.
- If you are outside during a tornado: Find shelter. Sheds, tents and mobile homes are not safe. If there is no cover, go to a low area, such as a ditch or ravine, and lie flat. Protect your head and neck with an object or hands. Avoid areas with lots of trees.
- If you get swept away in a tornado : If you get swept up in a tornado, you probably won’t find yourself in a mystical fantasy world where you’ll find out there’s no place like home. You will simply die. Okay, you can survive – this eight year old child survived – but at the moment it’s just luck.
What to do after a tornado
The danger won’t go away when the tornado passes, especially if it hits your home.
- Save your cell phone batteries : Instead of calling to say you’re alive, text or post on social media.
- Avoid downed power lines and other hazardous debris: a good rule of thumb at all times.
- Take Cleaning Precautions : Wear heavy gloves, boots, pants, and a mask when cleaning up after a disaster. You would feel pretty stupid if a tornado destroyed your house because you were wearing flip flops.
Common Tornado Myths
- “Hide under the crossing” Under the crossing is actually more dangerous, because the narrow passage can increase the wind speed, so do not wait out the storm under the crossing.
- “I have to leave him. “You don’t know where the tornado will go—no one knows—and you will probably hit something anyway. So just sit still.
- “Seek shelter in the southwest corner of the house” People used to think that tornadoes only traveled to the northeast, so the southwest corner was the safest from debris. But in fact, tornadoes move in any direction.
- “Open all the windows” Opening all the windows in your house to equalize the pressure (or whatever) is a bad idea. It doesn’t work and you should use this time to get to your hideout instead.
- “Trailer parks attract tornadoes” . Trailer houses tend to withstand more damage when hit by tornadoes because they are light and do not have a solid foundation, but they do not attract tornadoes.