A tornado is a violently rotating jet of air that begins from a thunderstorm and strikes the ground, according to the National Weather System. Every year in America, an average of 1,000 tornadoes are documented, resulting in about 1,500 injuries and 85 fatalities.
Tornadoes can form anywhere in the Four-State Region and at any time of the year. But the peak tornado season is between the months of March and June when almost 70% of all tornadoes in a year occur. With its threat to both property and life, it is important to know how to prepare and survive in a tornado.
How to Survive a Tornado? Here are Some Safety Tips When This Natural Phenomenon Hits Your Area
Preparing for a Tornado
In order to stay safe during a tornado, it is important to be prepared by having a plan and necessary items readily available. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), tornado emergency plan should be in place for oneself and the entire family, including access to a safe shelter and an emergency kit containing water, non-perishable food, and medication.
It is also important to have a list of important information, including contact numbers. Children should be educated about tornadoes and be aware of what a tornado is, as well as be informed of tornado watches and warnings and what a safe shelter looks like.
Staying informed of meteorological conditions is also essential for avoiding injury during a tornado. It is critical to monitor changing weather conditions in the impacted region by listening to local radio and television stations, as well as a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather radio station.
Some tornadoes can strike suddenly without any warning, but there are certain weather signs that may indicate an approaching tornado. A black or green sky, a massive, low-lying cloud, heavy hail, or a deafening boom that sounds like a freight train are examples of these. If any of these conditions are noticed, it is crucial to take immediate cover and stay tuned to local weather stations.
Staying Safe During a Tornado
As per NOAA, tornadoes cannot be guaranteed to be safe. That is why it is important to take any potential tornado threat seriously. To ensure one's safety, one may follow a few key safety tips from Old Farmer's Almanac:
- Identify safe shelter locations at home, work, or school in the event of a tornado.
- If indoors during a tornado, take cover in a cellar or interior small space like a closet or bathroom; the bathtub is a solid option.
- Avoid windows and seek shelter away from items that can be picked up by high winds if outdoors, like in a field or ditch.
- Lie down flat if caught outside during a tornado.
- Never stay in a car during a tornado as it can be flung around or crushed by debris.
- Wait for local officials to give the all-clear before returning home if you have evacuated.
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