Safety Tips against Tornadoes

Photo by Justin Hobson

THE tornado that killed 24 people, injured 377, and damaged about 12,000 homes in Moore, Oklahoma on May 20 is “the most powerful of a spate of 76 twisters that touched down in 10 states from May 18 to May 20,” said disaster modeling company Eqecat.

TV meteorologists also warned schools, neighborhoods, and businesses in the twister’s path to take extra precautions.

Warning systems worked, and saved hundreds or even thousands of lives, but some students from an elementary school died, and people from nearby areas were left injured and killed.

The Storm Prediction Center of Oklahoma believe that the first step in order to avoid the adversity that happened in Moore, Oklahoma, is to equip people with useful knowledge about various tornado signs.

Thunderstorms often occur, but the good thing is only a few of them create tornadoes. Still, experts and officials strongly recommend people to be wary.

Here are some signs that a tornado is fast-approaching:

• strong rotation visible in the cloud base
• greenish, dark sky
• large high wall of clouds
• large hail
• a visible funnel shaped cloud
• a loud roaring sound, stronger than the consistent wind
• very calm wind during an ongoing storm
• small, bright flashes at ground level under a thunderstorm in the distance could be a tornado snapping power lines

Tornado zone

Moore in Oklahoma is considered as a tornado zone. Residents are always at risk of being struck by a disaster. Here are some safety tips that can be of great help for anyone in a tornado zone.

• Devise an action plan for the whole family and make sure that everyone knows it by heart.
• Install a tornado shelter in your home or designate a room (ie. the basement or cellar) as the shelter. Stock it with canned food, water, a First Aid kit, a portable toilet, flashlights, and other necessities.
• Never put heavy furniture or appliances on the floor directly above your shelter location.
• Know where your community’s tornado shelters are located if your home doesn’t have a suitable shelter.
• Backyard tools, outdoor furniture and lawn toys like tricycles should be placed in a sturdy shed or garage.

Safety tips amidst a tornado occurrence

If the tornado is right in front of your area, here are some safety tips you can consider.

• Get an emergency kit for your family. Proceed to a place in your house where you can be safe.
• In order to protect yourself from debris and glass, cover yourself with a mattress or thick blanket.
• The simplest tip during tornado occurrence: using your arms, cover your head.
• Be patient and wait.

When in a vehicle, these are some safety precautions you should follow:

• Take note of this fact about a tornado’s direction: “If the tornado is a ways away, take some time to monitor it to see if it is coming right at you or angling to your right or left. If it appears to be standing still but possibly growing larger, then it is coming right at you and you need to drive out of its path. If it is moving to left or right, then you should move the opposite direction or keep monitoring.”
• Search for a shelter in a well-built building.
• Never stay inside your car for shelter.
• Do not stay under a bridge or overpass.

In the event that you find yourself outdoors with no possible means to reach shelter, here are solutions that you can put into use.

• Stay away from cars, trees, and other large objects that may be blown into your path.
• Look for low ground.
• Practical safety tips: “Lie flat face down and cross your forearms over the back of your head for protection against flying debris.”

After the tornado

You still need to take extra precautions even after the tornado has come and gone. Here are some helpful tips.

• Check your surroundings for hazards. Secure your family by bringing them to a safe place.
• In case of system damage, shut off gas, electricity, and water.
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• Stay away from wires and standing water.
• Keep away from buildings that don’t seem structurally sound.
• Do not use candles in case of gas leaks; instead, use flashlights.
• Keep updated with the news. Use your radio.
• Communicate with your insurance representative immediately. Make sure that all your insurance documents are secured.

Sources: Tornado Safety, Storm Prediction Center; Meteorologist website