With the upcoming threat of tornadoes and the start of tornado season comingup, now is the time to begin thinking about storm preparations and safety.Tornadoes extend from severe thunderstorms and usually develop from thetrailing end of a storm. The air may become very still before one hits. It isalso not uncommon for the sun to be visible or partially clear skies during atornado. Some are easily seen and detected, while others strike quickly withlittle or no warning.
Some warning signs of a tornado include: strong winds with cloud-baserotation, whirling dust and debris, hail and/or heavy rain, and a loud rumbleor roar that sounds similar to a moving train.
If it is nighttime, look for bright blue- or green-colored flashes near theground. That is an indication of snapped power lines, and an almost sure signof intense wind or a tornado.
Two of the most fundamental precautions that you can take in the event of atornado, no matter where you are, is staying low to or below the ground in aninterior space away from windows and covering your head with your hands andarms.
It is a good idea to prepare a shelter in advance. If you live between theRockies and the Mississippi River and are building or buying a house, it ishighly advisable that you find or build a home with either a storm cellar or aninterior, windowless room close to or below the ground. Store a radio or smallTV, as well as padded blankets or a mattress near or in this room.
It is also a good idea for your family to select a place to meet followingany tornado or storm in case you are separated at the time of the incident.
Phone lines or other modes of communication may be affected by the storm andare not always reliable.
Mobile homes and dwellings without basements or foundations are not a safeplace to be in a tornado. If your community does not have a storm shelter, seeka sturdy building nearby. If there is no time, seek a closet or climb into thebathtub and cover yourself some sort of thick padding, such as a mattress orblankets.
