1. Tornado Disaster Preparation PresentationBy
Lorenzo Jackson III

2. Tornado Definition
A tornado is a violent, dangerous rotating column of air that is in contact with both the surface of the earth and a cloud or the base of a cloud. Most tornadoes have wind speeds less than 110 miles per hour, are approximately 250 feet across, and travel a few miles before they disappear. The largest tornadoes can reach wind speeds of more than 300 mph, cover more than two miles across, and stay on the ground for dozens of miles.

3. Location of Tornados
The vast majority of tornadoes in the world occur in the Tornado Alley region of the United States, though they can occur nearly anywhere in North America. Tornado Alley is a slang term and most often refers to the area of the U.S. where tornados happen most. Although an official location is not defined, the area between the Rocky Mountains
and Appalachian Mountains is
usually linked with it.

4. Texarkana-Living within Tornado Alley
We live in Tornado Alley and many of the areas that are around us get tornadoes all the time. According to the storm events database of the National Climatic Data Center, Texas reports more tornadoes than any other state. Because we are in an area known for having tornadoes, we should be prepared if we are under a tornado warning or a tornado watch. A tornado warning is issued when conditions are right for a tornado to form. A tornado watch is an alert issued by government weather services to warn that thunderstorms with tornadoes may have been spotted. Then sirens will sound for a tornado emergency.

5. Emergency Preparedness Plan
Tornadoes are nearly clear until they pick up dust.
Tornadoes often occur when it is not raining.
Waterspouts are weak tornadoes that form over warm water. They are most common along the Gulf Coast and southeastern states.
Damage happens when wind gets inside a home through a broken window, door, or roof. Keep windows closed and stay away from windows.
If in a car, the safest thing to do is go to a nearby strong building and go to the level without windows.

6. Family Disaster Plan
Learn about your risk. Contact the American Red Cross.
Pick a safe place in your home where your family can gather during a tornado or threat of one (sound of the loud city alarm). The safest place is in a basement, but if you don’t have a basement like I don’t, then go to an inside hallway or room on the lowest floor. You should put as many walls as you can between you and the outside of the house. We have four bathrooms and two of them are in the center of the house without windows. Make sure there are no glass doors and keep the place neat.

7. Diagram of Home DINING ROOM BEDROOM 3 KITCHEN BEDROOM 4 LIVING ROOM
--Windows and Doors
Safety Location
DINING ROOM
BEDROOM 3
KITCHEN
BEDROOM LIVING ROOM
PATIO
BEDROOM 2
DEN
Bath 2
CLOSET
Bath 3
CLOSET
Bath 1
Bath 4
BEDROOM 1
Closet
GAR-AGE
CLOSET

8. Family Disaster Plan (cont)
Consider getting your safe place reinforced.
If you live in a high-rise building, pick a hall in the center of the building.
If you live in a mobile home, choose a safe place in a strong building nearby.
Prepare for caring for your animals. I have some dogs.
Check to see what the disaster plan is at your school or your workplace.
Create a family disaster plan.

9. Family’s Emergency Kit
Items should be kept in an airtight plastic bag.
A portable, battery-powered radio or television and extra batteries.
Flashlight and extra batteries.
First aid kit and first aid manual.
Supply of prescription medications.
Credit card and cash.
Personal identification.
An extra set of car keys.
Matches in a waterproof container.
Signal flare.
Map of the area and phone numbers of places you could go.
Special needs, for example, diapers or formula, prescription medicines and copies of prescriptions, hearing aid batteries, spare wheelchair battery, spare eyeglasses, or other physical needs.

10. Family Disaster Plan
Meet with your family to discuss why we need to prepare for disaster.
Explain what to do in different kinds of disasters; what to do if you aren’t all together.
Pick two places to meet-one outside for a fire and a place inside for a tornado.
Any questions ?