We’ve all seen those TV shows about extreme preppers who go to elaborate lengths—stockpiling provisions, conducting whole-family drills for every conceivable contingency, and turning their homes into virtual fortresses—in anticipation of various doomsday scenarios. While sensible people could argue the merits of over-preparing for the eruption of the Yellowstone supervolcano, a thermonuclear strike, or the planet flipping on its axis, there’s no question that anyone living in a tornado-prone region, such as Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan, should have a solid tornado-preparedness plan in place.
In our area, tornados are a very real threat and the peak tornado season is already underway (it generally spans the months of April through July, but tornados can occur at any time of year), so if you haven’t done anything to prepare yet, there’s no time like the present! Here are the steps you need to take:
Know a watch from a warning Even people who have lived in tornado-prone areas all their lives sometimes confuse the terms “tornado watch” and “tornado warning.” A tornado watch is posted when conditions are right for a tornado to develop. This is a good time to make sure all of your emergency supplies are present in the room you plan to shelter in, stay tuned to local weather broadcasts or a weather-alert radio for updates, and review with your family what to do in the event of a tornado.
A tornado warning indicates that a tornado has actually been sighted by storm spotters or detected by weather radar—and that means you and your family should seek shelter immediately.
Know the meteorological warning signs Our local meteorologists keep us pretty well informed of severe weather developments, but in the event that you’re outdoors and out of touch with local broadcasts, it’s important to be able to recognize potential tornado warning signs. If conditions are right for a tornado, be alert to the following:
• Low, dark clouds with a sickly, greenish caste
• Fast-moving or rotating clouds
• Whirling dust or debris beneath a cloud base
• Hail
• A thunderstorm followed by a strange calm
• A visible funnel cloud
• A loud, continuous roaring sound, likened to a jet or locomotive.
Designate a safe room
Don’t wait until the sirens are blasting outside to choose which room of your home to shelter in during a tornado. Know ahead of time where everyone should go if a warning is called. The best location is a basement or cellar. If that’s not an option, designate a small interior room (such as a bathroom or closet) or hallway that’s on the lowest floor of your home and as far away from windows as possible.
If you reside in a mobile home, it’s important to understand that it’s not safe to remain there during a tornado. Instead, plan to take refuge in a community shelter or other permanent structure close by in the event of a tornado.
Pack a tornado kit
The American Red Cross recommends preparing an emergency kit that includes one gallon of water per person for at least three days, non-perishable food, first-aid supplies, three days of essential prescription medications, clothing and bedding, emergency tools, sanitation supplies, and copies of important documents. Other items that are wise to have on hand in your shelter room include a charged cell phone, a battery- or crank-powered radio and flashlight, replacement batteries if applicable, spare keys to your vehicles, photo identification, a list of important phone numbers, and a credit card or cash.
Don’t forget shoes and durable clothing!
When the tornado siren sounds in the middle of the night, most of us stumble down to the basement in our pajamas or bathrobe. If we have anything on our feet, it’s likely to be little more than a pair of slippers or socks. But think how hazardous such attire could prove to be in the event that your home sustains serious damage in the storm and you have to evacuate through broken glass, nails, and other sharp debris. Make sure sturdy shoes and other durable clothes are handy in your shelter room for every member of the family, and put them on when a tornado warning is sounded.
Plan for the aftermath
In addition to knowing where to go, what to do, and what to have on hand before and during a tornado, it’s also important to know what to do after a tornado strikes your home:
• Designate a specific area to meet in case the family gets separated. Ideally, you should designate an alternate meeting place, as well, just in case the first location is too hazardous.
• Render first aid or assistance to family members or neighbors who are injured or trapped, but do not attempt to move someone who is seriously hurt unless doing so is necessary to prevent further injury.
• Use only battery-powered light sources, not matches, lighters, candles, or oil lamps, in case there is a gas leak. Do not operate light switches, which could spark and ignite leaking gas. In fact, if you know or suspect your home has been damaged, it’s best to shut off the electricity and natural gas/ propane supply.
• Move around with caution, and be on the lookout for downed power lines and other hazards.
• Stay out of heavily damaged buildings, which may collapse or present other hazards.
Drill your family’s emergency procedures At least once a year, it’s a good idea to test your family’s emergency preparedness by conducting a tornado drill. Doing so will reassure you that everyone knows where to go and what to do when the siren sounds and that you have all the materials you need in your emergency kit. Don’t wait for the real thing to make sure you’re ready! ✲
