If a tornado was approaching, would you know what to do?

Tornadoes are the most violent atmospheric phenomenon on the planet. Winds of 200-300 mph can occur with the most violent tornadoes. The following are instructions on how to be prepared before the storm, and what to do when a tornado warning has been issued for your area or whenever a tornado threatens:

Before the Storm:

• Develop a plan for you and your family for home, work, school, and when outdoors.
• Have a NOAA Weather Radio with a warning alarm tone and battery back-up to receive warnings.
• Have frequent drills.
• Listen to radio and television for information.
• Know the county/parish in which you live, and keep a highway map nearby to follow storm movement from weather bulletins.
• If planning a trip outdoors, listen to the latest forecasts and take necessary action if threatening weather is possible.

If a Warning is Issued or if Threatening Weather Approaches:

• In Homes Or Small Buildings: Go to the basement (if available) or to an interior room on the lowest floor, such as a closet or bathroom. Wrap yourself in overcoats or blankets to protect yourself from flying debris.
• In Schools, Hospitals, Factories, or Shopping Centers: Go to interior rooms and halls on the lowest floor. Stay away from glass enclosed places or areas with wide-span roofs such as auditoriums and warehouses. See the left figure for an example of where to go in a school. Crouch down and cover your head as shown in the right figure.
• In High-Rise Buildings: Go to interior small rooms or halls. Stay away from exterior walls or glassy areas.
• In Cars Or Mobile Homes: Abandon Them Immediately!! Most deaths occur in cars and mobile homes. If you are in either of those locations, leave them and go to a substantial structure or designated tornado shelter. The picture below illustrates clearly what a violent tornado can do to a car.
• If No Suitable Structure is Nearby: Lie flat in the nearest ditch or depression and use your hands to cover your head.

It's Up To YOU! Each year, many people are killed or seriously injured by tornadoes despite advance warning. Some did not hear the warning while others received the warning but did not believe a tornado would actually affect them.
The preparedness information on this brochure, combined with timely severe weather watches and warnings,could save your life in the event a tornado threatens your area. After you have received the warning or observed threatening skies, YOU must make the decision to seek shelter before the storm arrives. It could be the most important decision you will ever make.

Who's Most At Risk?

• People in automobiles
• People in mobile homes
• The elderly, very young, and the physically or mentally impaired
• People who may not understand the warning due to a language barrier

Tornado Safety in Schools - Every School Should Have a Plan!

• Develop a severe weather action plan and have frequent drills.
• Each school should be inspected and tornado shelter areas designated by a registered engineer or architect. Basements offer the best protection. Schools without basements should use interior rooms and hallways on the lowest floor and away from windows.
• Those responsible for activating the plan should monitor weather information from NOAA Weather Radio and local radio/television.
• If the school's alarm system relies on electricity, have a compressed air horn or megaphone to activate the alarm in case of power failure.
• Make special provisions for disabled students and those in portable classrooms.
• Make sure someone knows how to turn off electricity and gas in the event the school is damaged.
• Keep children at school beyond regular hours if threatening weather is expected. Children are safer at school than in a bus or car. Students should not be sent home early if severe weather is approaching. Lunches or assemblies in large rooms should be delayed if severe weather is anticipated. Gymnasiums, cafeterias, and auditoriums offer no protection from tornado-strength winds.
• Move students quickly into interior rooms or hallways on the lowest floor. Have them assume the tornado protection position.

Family Disaster Plan for Hazards

Families should be prepared for all hazards that affect their area. NOAA's National Weather Service, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the American Red Cross urge each family to develop a family disaster plan.

Where will your family be when disaster strikes? They could be anywhere - at work, at school, or in the car. How will you find each other? Will you know if your children are safe? Disasters may force you to evacuate your neighborhood or confine you to your home. What would you do if basic services- water, gas,electricity or telephones - were cut off? Follow these basic steps to develop a family disaster plan:

I. Gather information about hazards. Contact your local National Weather Service office, emergency management or civil defense office, and American Red Cross chapter. Find out what type of disasters could occur and how you should respond. Learn your community's warning signals and evacuation plans.

II. Meet with your family to create a plan. Discuss the information you have gathered. Pick two places to meet: a spot outside your home for an emergency, such as fire, and a place away from your neighborhood in case you can't return home. Choose an out-of-state friend as your "family check-in contact" for everyone to call if the family gets separated. Discuss what you would do if advised to evacuate.

III. Implement your plan.

1. Post emergency telephone numbers by phones;
2. Install safety features in your house, such as smoke detectors and fire extinguishers;
3. Inspect your home for potential hazards (such as items that can move, fall, break, or catch fire) and correct them;
4. Have your family learn basic safety measures, such as CPR and first aid; how to use a fire extinguisher; and how and when to turn off water, gas, and electricity in your home;
5. Teach children how and when to call 911 or your local Emergency Medical Services number;
6. Keep enough supplies in your home to meet your needs for at least three days. Assemble a disaster supplies kit with items you may need in case of an evacuation. Store these supplies in sturdy, easy-to-carry containers, such as backpacks or duffle bags. Keep important family documents in a waterproof container. Keep a smaller disaster supplies kit in the trunk of your car. A disaster supplies kit should include:
   • A 3-day supply of water (one gallon per person per day) and food that won't spoil
   • one change of clothing and footwear per person
   • one blanket or sleeping bag per person
   • a first-aid kit, including prescription medicines
   • emergency tools, including a battery-powered NOAA Weather Radio and a portable radio, flashlight, and plenty of extra batteries * an extra set of car keys and a credit card or cash
   • special items for infants, elderly, or disabled family members.