...TORNADO INFORMATION AND SAFETY RULES...

...TORNADOES, NATURE'S FURY...

“ Some people incorrectly believe that the Pacific Northwest does not get severe weather,” said John Livingston, meteorologist-in-charge of NOAA's National Weather Service forecast office in Spokane , Wash. “Yet, history shows this region does get severe weather, including tornadoes, severe thunderstorms and flash floods.”

This week is severe weather week in the Pacific Northwest and today…the focus is on tornadoes and waterspouts. Tornadoes are defined as a rapidly rotating column of air in contact with the ground while waterspouts are in contact with a body of water. A funnel cloud is not in contact with the ground.

The Pacific Northwest averages six tornadoes during the year. July and August are the most common months to see a tornado although they have been reported in almost every month of the year. The majority of tornadoes occur between 1 pm and 9 pm . The usual strength is rated between an EF0 and EF2 – or better described as weak to strong with wind speeds ranging from 40 mph to 157 mph.

Tornadoes do occur in western Washington and Oregon with each state averaging between one or two each year. Some years are relatively active. In 1997, Washington had a record 14 tornadoes and in 2004, 9 tornadoes. Though most tornadoes in our region are less intense than those east of the Rockies and last only a few minutes, our area did lead the nation in tornado deaths in 1972. A F3 tornado touched down in Vancouver on April 6th, plowing through a grocery store, a bowling center and a school, killing 6 people and injuring several hundred.

In western Oregon and Washington tornadoes and waterspouts can occur in any month of the year, but most occur during our transition seasons – spring and fall. Nearly all occur during the heat of the day…between 1 pm and 7 pm .

When conditions for tornadoes become favorable, NOAA's National Weather Service - Storm Prediction Center issues a tornado watch covering a large area for the next four to six hours. This is when you need to review what you would do in case a warning is issued. It may be too late to develop a plan after a warning goes into effect. Stay tuned to commercial radio, NOAA weather radio, local TV, or cable TV.

When tornadoes are imminent or detected by Doppler Weather Radar or trained spotters, a tornado warning is issued by the NWS. Over our coastal waters, a Special Marine Warning is issued for the water equivalent of a tornado named a waterspout. Special Marine Warnings are also issued for winds in excess of 35 knots associated with strong thunderstorms.

If the tornado warning is for your area, remember the following safety tips:

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. Upper floors are unsafe. If there is no time to descend, go to a closet, a small room with strong walls, or an inside hallway. 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. Crouch down and cover your head. Don't take shelter in halls that open to the south or the west. Centrally-located stairwells are good shelter.

IN HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS:

Go to interior small rooms or halls. Stay away from exterior walls or areas containing glass.

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.

IF NO SUITABLE STRUCTURE IS NEARBY:

Lie flat in the nearest ditch or depression and use your hands to cover your head. Be alert for flash floods.

DURING A TORNADO:

Absolutely avoid buildings with large free-span roofs. Stay away from west and south walls. Remember, find the lowest level, smallest room, or center part of a building or home. No matter where you are, do some advance planning if possible. Identify protective areas you can get to in a hurry. Obtain a NOAA Weather Radio that will provide an alarm if a tornado watch or warning is in effect for your community or county. Tornadoes may even develop without a tornado warning in effect.

Here are a few tips to help you, survivors of tornadoes have often stated hearing a loud roaring sound with tornadoes. Also, if you are receiving golfball hail or larger, you are near the most dangerous part of the storm which could be followed by a tornado. If you see rotating debris even without the existence of a funnel cloud, it could be a dangerous twister.

Regardless, the key to tornado survival in the Pacific Northwest is to be prepared and take immediate action when a warning is issued or when you spot a tornado. Remember, the actions you take during a tornado event may save your life and the lives of your family.

Severe Weather Awareness Week continues through May 10 in the Pacific Northwest. This is an excellent time for all individuals, families, businesses, schools, radio and television stations to review their severe weather preparedness plans.

Additional Links of Interest...

1. Fujita Scale of Tornado strength
2. F3 Tornado Strikes Portland/Vancouver on April 5, 1972
3. Historic Tornadoes of Oregon
4. Tornadoes of Eastern Washington
5. Tornadoes of Eastern Idaho
6. Severe Emergency Plan for Inland Pacific NW Schools
7. Preparedness for Tornadoes
8. Each local office may have photographs online ( see office links below )

Remember, in times of severe weather, you can get all these vital NOAA/National Weather Service messages via NOAA Weather Radio, your favorite local media, or through NOAA's National Weather Service websites.

For questions about local Severe Weather Preparedness, contact your local NOAA National Weather Service Office: