Each year tornados kill or injure hundreds of people. Thousands of
homes are destroyed. Whole buildings disappear, and only their basements
are left.
No one can stop a tornado. But you can get out of its path.
That's why
A tornado is a severe storm. The winds in a tornado spiral around a
wide funnel that is big at the top and small at the ground. The wind may
spin more than 200 miles an hour around the funnel while the tornado moves
across the land.
Tornados are usually accompanied by hail, severe thunderstorms and
wind. The noise of a tornado is loud - that like of a large jet airplane
- that blots our the sound of crashing buildings and
falling trees.
Air pressure inside the tornado is very low, as though there were a
"hole" in the air. Outside air spins into the "hole",
carrying dust, dirt, sticks, pieces of glass and even large objects.
Houses may be caved in by the wind and pieces carried away by the storm.
Most tornados move from the southwest to the northeast. Generally, tornados
occur in the spring in the late afternoon on a hot day. But remember,
tornados can happen at any time! When a tornado threatens, immediate
action can save lives.
Stay away from windows, doors and outside walls. Protect your head.
In homes or other small buildings go to the basement or a place in the
middle of the house, like a closet, bathroom or interior hall, that's on the
lowest floor. Get under something sturdy.
In school, be calm and follow the direction of your teacher. Stay away
from auditoriums or gymnasiums with wide, huge roofs that could collapse
easily.
In shopping centers or very large buildings look for a predesigned
shelter. If there isn't one, a middle hallway on the lowest floor is the
next best place to take shelter.
I mobile homes or cars, leave them and find a
shelter in a building. If there is no shelter nearby, lie flat in the
nearest ditch, ravine or culvert with your hands shielding your head.
When skies look threatening, listen to radio or TV. The National
Weather Service tracks weather systems with radar and can usually give adequate
advance warning of sever weather conditions. Many communities also have
arranged special warning systems, such as air raid sirens.
The fastest way to receive weather information directly from the National
Weather Service is over the Weather Radio network. Local, state and
federal agencies have combined efforts to establish a statewide weather radio
network that reaches nearly every person in
The Weather Radio broadcasts are made on on of
three highband FM frequencies: 162.40, 162.475 or
162.55 megahertz. They are available 24 hours a day, seven days a
week. These broadcasts normally include weather forecasts and
observations. During periods of unusual weather special statements and
safety messages, watches and warnings are also included in the
broadcast.
Another feature of the Weather Radio Network is that forecasters can
activate certain specially designed receivers, such as "weather
cubes," during severe weather. These receivers either sound an alarm
or turn on automatically in the listener's home or office. This special
feature allows immediate notification of the public when a watch or warning is
issued, no matter what time of the day or night.
Information adapted from Tornado Safety
Information Packet from Ohio Insurance Institute,