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Tornadoes. A tornado is a violently rotating column of air extending from a thunderstorm to the ground May have a transparent appearance until dust and debris are picked up, or a cloud forms within the funnel cloud
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Tornadoes A tornado is a violently rotating column of air extending from a thunderstorm to the ground • May have a transparent appearance until dust and debris are picked up, or a cloud forms within the funnel cloud • The average forward speed is 30mph, although it can vary from a near standstill to 70mph
Tornadoes • The most intense tornadoes have rotating winds of up to 250 mph. • Waterspouts are tornadoes which have formed over warm water • Waterspouts can make landfall and cause damage
Necessary disaster supplies • It is important to have the following supplies on hand in the event of a disaster: • Flashlight and extra batteries • Portable, battery operated radio with extra batteries • Emergency food and water (3 day supply) • Manual can opener • Essential medications • Cash and credit cards • Sturdy shoes and work gloves • Written instructions for turning off the utilities in your home For additional information about disaster supplies, go to http://www.arc.org
Emergency Communications Plan • In the event that family members are separated during a tornado or other disaster, it is important to have a plan for communicating with each other • Ask an out of state friend or relative to serve as the “contact person” (make sure that all family members know the name, address, and phone number for this person) • Appoint a “meeting place” where you can all congregate
Having a drill • No matter where you are when a tornado strikes you should know: • Where to go • What to avoid • How to protect yourself and others
Where to go during a storm? • At home: • Go to an interior room without windows, storm cellar, basement, inner room or hallway without windows • Get under sturdy furniture • Use arms to protect head and neck • If in a mobile home, get out and find shelter elsewhere • At work or school: • Go to the basement or an inside hallway on the lowest level • Avoid places with wide-span roofs (auditoriums, cafeterias, large hallways, malls) • Get under sturdy furniture • Protect head and neck with arms
Where to go during a storm • If outdoors: • If possible, get inside a building • If indoor shelter is not possible, lie in a ditch or low-lying ravine (be aware of the potential for flooding) • Crouch near a strong building • Use arms to protect head and neck • If in a car: • Never try to out-drive a tornado! They can often change direction and lift a vehicle up and toss it. • Immediately seek shelter in a building • If there is not time to get indoors, get out of the car and lie in a ditch or low-lying area (beware of the potential for flooding) • Use arms to protect head and neck Additional information can be accessed at: http://www.tornadoproject.com/safety/safety/htm.
What to do after a storm • Offer aid and assistance to trapped or injured persons • Give first aid as needed • Don’t try to move any seriously injured persons unless immediate danger is present • Call for help • Turn on radio/television to get emergency information • Stay out of damaged buildings • Use telephones only for emergency calls • Clean up spilled medications and hazardous materials • Leave the building if you smell gas or chemicals • Take pictures of damage—buildings and contents