Preparing For Tornadoes Is The Best Defense
Release Date: May 16, 2003
Release Number: 1465-10
» More Information on Oklahoma Severe Storms and Tornadoes
Oklahoma City, OK -- In early May, the United States experienced more than 400 tornadoes within a one-week period. The people of Oklahoma saw the devastation first-hand and many survived the deadly storms because they were prepared. The message is clear-storm and tornado preparation pays off.
No one is defenseless in the face of these deadly storms as long as preparedness remains a priority. Tornadoes approach quickly, and there is only a short amount of time to make life-or-death decisions. Advance planning and quick response are the keys to surviving a tornado.
There are basic steps individuals and families can take to prepare for and to survive tornadoes:
- Assemble an emergency kit that should include:
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- Portable, battery-operated radio and extra batteries
- First aid kit
- Emergency food and water
- Non-electric can opener
- Essential medicines
- Cash and credit cards
- Bedding or a sleeping bag
- Sturdy shoes and a change of clothes
- Create a family communication plan so that if your family is not together
when a tornado strikes, you'll have contact numbers to keep in touch.
Sometimes calling an out-of-state relative as a main point of contact
is a good idea, since phone lines may be down. Also, families at home
need to "shelter in place" during a tornado. Plan to meet
family members in the lowest part of the home, preferably a basement.
If there is no basement, choose an interior room where there are few
or no windows.
- Learn these tornado danger signs:
- An approaching cloud of debris can mark the location of a tornado even if a funnel is not visible.
- Before a tornado hits, the wind may die down and the air may become very still.
- Tornadoes generally occur near the trailing edge of a thunderstorm.
It is not uncommon to see clear, sunlit skies behind a tornado.
- Take shelter in a building with a strong foundation if a tornado approaches while you are away from home. If shelter is not available, lie in a ditch or low-lying are. Be aware that mobile homes are particularly vulnerable. A mobile home can easily overturn even if precautions have been taken to tie down the unit.
Last Modified: Tuesday, 03-Jun-2003 11:16:10