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Prepare for possible tornadoes with some helpful
tips, beginning with the difference between a watch
and a warning.
Tornado Watch (watch out): multiple tornadoes are possible.
Typically a tornado watch is issued for three to six hours.
Tornado Warning (take action): a tornado has been sighted
or indicated by Doppler radar. (If a tornado is heading your way, go immediately
to your safe area.)
Before the Storm
Prepare a Home Tornado Plan
When a Tornado Watch Is Issued
When a Tornado Warning Is Issued
After the Tornado Passes
Before the Storm
- Develop a home tornado plan and have frequent drills.
- If planning a trip outdoors, listen to the latest forecasts and take
necessary action if threatening weather is possible.
- Post emergency telephone numbers by phones. Teach children how and
when to call 911 or your local Emergency Medical Services number.
- Install safety features in your house, such as smoke detectors and
fire extinguishers.
- Inspect your home for potential hazards (such as items that can move,
fall, break, or catch fire) and correct them.
- 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.
- Keep enough supplies in your home to meet your needs for at least
three days. Assemble your Red Cross disaster supply kit.(a href = http://www.redcross.org/disaster/safety/fds-all.pdf)
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Prepare a Home Tornado Plan
- Pick a place where family members could gather if a tornado is headed
your way. It could be your basement or, if there is no basement, a center
hallway, bathroom or closet on the lowest floor. Think about putting
as many walls between you and outside as possible and an area with no
windows. Keep this place uncluttered.
- If you are in a high-rise building, you may not have enough time to
go to the lowest floor. Pick a place in a hallway in the center of the
building.
When a Tornado Watch Is Issued
- Stay tuned to local news and weather for updates.
- Be alert to changing weather conditions and be ready to put your Home
Tornado Plan into action.
- Environmental clues of a possible tornado include: a dark and often
greenish sky; a wall cloud; large hail; a loud roar similar to a freight
train or forest fire.
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When a Tornado Warning Is issued
- In a home or building, go to your pre-designated safe area from your
Home Tornado Plan. Cover your head and protect yourself from glass and
other flying objects. Stay away from windows.
- If caught in your car, don't try to outrun the tornado! Get out of
your car and lie flat in a nearby ditch. Do not take shelter under a
highway overpass because of the potential for even stronger channeled
winds and debris piling up near the overpass.
- Mobile homes, even if tied down, offer little protection from tornadoes
and should be abandoned. If there's time, go to a more sturdy structure
and follow your home tornado plan. If there's no time, get out and lie
flat in a nearby ditch.
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After the Tornado Passes
- Watch out for fallen power lines and stay out of the damaged area.
- Watch local news for information and instructions.
- Use a flashlight to inspect your home for damage. Do not use candles
at any time (or any device with an open flame).
- When it's all clear, take pictures or video of damage and proceed
with your insurance company.
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