Tornadoes A tornado is a violently rotating column of air extending from a thunderstorm to the ground  May have a transparent appearance until dust and debris are picked up, or a cloud forms within the funnel cloud  The average forward speed is 30mph, although it can vary from a near standstill to 70mph

Tornadoes  The most intense tornadoes have rotating winds of up to 250 mph.  Waterspouts are tornadoes which have formed over warm water  Waterspouts can make landfall and cause damage

Necessary disaster supplies  It is important to have the following supplies on hand in the event of a disaster: –Flashlight and extra batteries –Portable, battery operated radio with extra batteries –Emergency food and water (3 day supply) –Manual can opener –Essential medications –Cash and credit cards –Sturdy shoes and work gloves –Written instructions for turning off the utilities in your home For additional information about disaster supplies, go to

Emergency Communications Plan  In the event that family members are separated during a tornado or other disaster, it is important to have a plan for communicating with each other –Ask an out of state friend or relative to serve as the “contact person” (make sure that all family members know the name, address, and phone number for this person) –Appoint a “meeting place” where you can all congregate

Having a drill  No matter where you are when a tornado strikes you should know: –Where to go –What to avoid –How to protect yourself and others

Where to go during a storm?  At home: –Go to an interior room without windows, storm cellar, basement, inner room or hallway without windows –Get under sturdy furniture –Use arms to protect head and neck –If in a mobile home, get out and find shelter elsewhere  At work or school: –Go to the basement or an inside hallway on the lowest level –Avoid places with wide-span roofs (auditoriums, cafeterias, large hallways, malls) –Get under sturdy furniture –Protect head and neck with arms

Where to go during a storm  If outdoors: –If possible, get inside a building –If indoor shelter is not possible, lie in a ditch or low-lying ravine (be aware of the potential for flooding) –Crouch near a strong building –Use arms to protect head and neck  If in a car: –Never try to out-drive a tornado! They can often change direction and lift a vehicle up and toss it. –Immediately seek shelter in a building –If there is not time to get indoors, get out of the car and lie in a ditch or low-lying area (beware of the potential for flooding) –Use arms to protect head and neck Additional information can be accessed at:

What to do after a storm  Offer aid and assistance to trapped or injured persons  Give first aid as needed  Don’t try to move any seriously injured persons unless immediate danger is present  Call for help  Turn on radio/television to get emergency information  Stay out of damaged buildings  Use telephones only for emergency calls  Clean up spilled medications and hazardous materials  Leave the building if you smell gas or chemicals  Take pictures of damage—buildings and contents