BEFORE A TORNADO
Emergency survival kit:
An emergency survival kit should contain the following: Weather alert radio, flashlights, batteries, non-perishable food, and water. This kit should ideally be located in your tornado shelter or safe area. You may also want to keep a helmet in your tornado shelter or safe area to protect your head from flying debris in the event of a tornado.
Know the signs of a tornado:
A tornado can occur without a Tornado Watch or Warning being in effect, so know the signs of a tornado. The signs include:
Have a plan:
All homes, schools, and businesses should have a plan ready should in the event of a tornado. Practice tornado drills during the severe weather season. Schools and businesses need to have a designated tornado safe area for students and staff. For homes without basements, designate a safe room for your home such as a closet, bathroom, or any other interior room on the lowest level without windows. Safe rooms can be installed in houses as well (see the images at the bottom of the page.)
IN CASE OF TORNADO
Tornado Warning issuance:
A Tornado Warning means a storm that has the potential to spawn or has already produced a tornado is imminent or occurring. If a Tornado Warning is issued, counties with outdoor warning systems (tornado sirens) will activate them immediately after the warning is issued. The Emergency Alert System will interrupt radio and television networks to alert the public. NOAA Weather Alert radios will sound, as well.
All persons are to move to their tornado safe shelters the moment a Tornado Warning is issued.
Remember, tornado sirens are not designed to be heard indoors. Even though you may have the ability to hear them inside, always have another source of receiving important and urgent weather information. There are instances where siren systems fail during a power outage or experience malfunctions when activated.
Stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio or other media sources for updates during the storm.
Emergency survival kit:
An emergency survival kit should contain the following: Weather alert radio, flashlights, batteries, non-perishable food, and water. This kit should ideally be located in your tornado shelter or safe area. You may also want to keep a helmet in your tornado shelter or safe area to protect your head from flying debris in the event of a tornado.
Know the signs of a tornado:
A tornado can occur without a Tornado Watch or Warning being in effect, so know the signs of a tornado. The signs include:
- Strong rotation in the clouds.
- Heavy rain or hail followed by an abnormally calm or fast intense wind shift.
- Loud continuous roar (the roar will not fade like thunder.)
- An unusual greenish, brownish, or blackish color in the sky (this will not be visible during the nighttime hours.)
Have a plan:
All homes, schools, and businesses should have a plan ready should in the event of a tornado. Practice tornado drills during the severe weather season. Schools and businesses need to have a designated tornado safe area for students and staff. For homes without basements, designate a safe room for your home such as a closet, bathroom, or any other interior room on the lowest level without windows. Safe rooms can be installed in houses as well (see the images at the bottom of the page.)
IN CASE OF TORNADO
Tornado Warning issuance:
A Tornado Warning means a storm that has the potential to spawn or has already produced a tornado is imminent or occurring. If a Tornado Warning is issued, counties with outdoor warning systems (tornado sirens) will activate them immediately after the warning is issued. The Emergency Alert System will interrupt radio and television networks to alert the public. NOAA Weather Alert radios will sound, as well.
All persons are to move to their tornado safe shelters the moment a Tornado Warning is issued.
Remember, tornado sirens are not designed to be heard indoors. Even though you may have the ability to hear them inside, always have another source of receiving important and urgent weather information. There are instances where siren systems fail during a power outage or experience malfunctions when activated.
Stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio or other media sources for updates during the storm.
Tornado shelters:
Homes with Basements
If you live in a home with a basement, move to the basement in the event of a tornado. Keep a mattress or sleeping bag close (these can block your body from flying debris.) A helmet can also be used to block your head from flying debris. Do not seek shelter in areas of the basement where appliances or heavy objects are directly above on the first floor. The best areas in the basement to seek shelter are in interior rooms without windows.
Apartments or Homes Without Basements
If you live in a home or apartment without a basement, move to an interior room, hallway, or bathroom with no windows on the lowest level of the building. Crouch down into tornado position (see image below.)
Skyscrapers and Other Multi-Level Buildings
If in a multi-level building, move to the interior (or center) area of the lowest level possible of the building. These safe areas should have no windows. Building stairwells are the safest areas. Once you have arrived at your safe area, crouch down into tornado position (see image below.) Do not seek shelter in an elevator as a power failure may occur. Always obey instructions given by building management, and follow all tornado safety plans.
Mobile Homes
If in a mobile home, evacuate immediately. Mobile homes are easily destroyed by the force of a tornado. Tied down mobile homes also cannot withstand the force of a tornado. Move to a local sturdy structure or underground shelter. Persons in mobile homes should continuously monitor weather conditions on days when severe weather is expected.
Schools
If in a school or other academic building, follow the tornado safety plan created by school administrators.
For school administrators, students and staff should be moved to interior areas of the building on the lowest level where there are no windows. It is recommended that they go into tornado position (see image below) if space allows. If there is not enough room for all students to go into tornado position, have them cover the back of their heads with their hands while keeping their heads between their knees. A tornado drill is to be conducted during each month of the tornado season according to Ohio Revised Code Chapter 1301:7-7. More information on safety codes for schools can be found on the Ohio Revised Code Section 3737.73.
Vehicles
While operating a vehicle, there are a few options on what to do in the event of a tornado.
Option #1: Drive to the nearest sturdy structure or underground shelter. This option should only be a choice if the tornado is not in your path.
Option #2: Stay in your vehicle and keep the seat belt buckled. Get below the window and cover your head with your hands. (Attempt options one and three first.)
Option #3: Get out of your vehicle and move to an area that is noticeably lower than the street. Go into tornado position (see image below.)
Do not seek shelter under a bridge or overpass. These become very strong wind tunnels and there is a higher risk of the bridge collapsing.
Outdoors
If outdoors, move to a sturdy structure or underground shelter if possible. If not, move to low ground or a ditch away from trees and power lines. Go into tornado position (see image below.)
Homes with Basements
If you live in a home with a basement, move to the basement in the event of a tornado. Keep a mattress or sleeping bag close (these can block your body from flying debris.) A helmet can also be used to block your head from flying debris. Do not seek shelter in areas of the basement where appliances or heavy objects are directly above on the first floor. The best areas in the basement to seek shelter are in interior rooms without windows.
Apartments or Homes Without Basements
If you live in a home or apartment without a basement, move to an interior room, hallway, or bathroom with no windows on the lowest level of the building. Crouch down into tornado position (see image below.)
Skyscrapers and Other Multi-Level Buildings
If in a multi-level building, move to the interior (or center) area of the lowest level possible of the building. These safe areas should have no windows. Building stairwells are the safest areas. Once you have arrived at your safe area, crouch down into tornado position (see image below.) Do not seek shelter in an elevator as a power failure may occur. Always obey instructions given by building management, and follow all tornado safety plans.
Mobile Homes
If in a mobile home, evacuate immediately. Mobile homes are easily destroyed by the force of a tornado. Tied down mobile homes also cannot withstand the force of a tornado. Move to a local sturdy structure or underground shelter. Persons in mobile homes should continuously monitor weather conditions on days when severe weather is expected.
Schools
If in a school or other academic building, follow the tornado safety plan created by school administrators.
For school administrators, students and staff should be moved to interior areas of the building on the lowest level where there are no windows. It is recommended that they go into tornado position (see image below) if space allows. If there is not enough room for all students to go into tornado position, have them cover the back of their heads with their hands while keeping their heads between their knees. A tornado drill is to be conducted during each month of the tornado season according to Ohio Revised Code Chapter 1301:7-7. More information on safety codes for schools can be found on the Ohio Revised Code Section 3737.73.
Vehicles
While operating a vehicle, there are a few options on what to do in the event of a tornado.
Option #1: Drive to the nearest sturdy structure or underground shelter. This option should only be a choice if the tornado is not in your path.
Option #2: Stay in your vehicle and keep the seat belt buckled. Get below the window and cover your head with your hands. (Attempt options one and three first.)
Option #3: Get out of your vehicle and move to an area that is noticeably lower than the street. Go into tornado position (see image below.)
Do not seek shelter under a bridge or overpass. These become very strong wind tunnels and there is a higher risk of the bridge collapsing.
Outdoors
If outdoors, move to a sturdy structure or underground shelter if possible. If not, move to low ground or a ditch away from trees and power lines. Go into tornado position (see image below.)
TORNADO SAFE POSITION
AFTER A TORNADO
Carefully exit your shelter and watch for sharp objects. Keep your family or group together and wait for emergency services to arrive.
For persons with injuries:
Assist those who have sustained minor injuries. Alert emergency officials of persons with serious or life-threatening injuries or call 911. Should a person's heart stop or should a person stop breathing, begin performing CPR if you are able to do so. If you are not CPR certified and do not obtain the knowledge of how to perform CPR, call 911 and the operator will instruct you on how to do so. If a person has a bleeding injury, apply pressure to the affected area to prevent further bleeding.
General safety:
Cleaning up:
Rebuilding:
When you are rebuilding your home or business, make plans with the contractor to install a safe room (if the building does not have a basement.) Safe rooms come in all different sizes (see images below) and can withstand EF4 or EF5 rated tornadoes. These safe rooms can be installed above ground or below ground inside or outside your home. Many people choose to have their safe room installed in the garage of their home.
Carefully exit your shelter and watch for sharp objects. Keep your family or group together and wait for emergency services to arrive.
For persons with injuries:
Assist those who have sustained minor injuries. Alert emergency officials of persons with serious or life-threatening injuries or call 911. Should a person's heart stop or should a person stop breathing, begin performing CPR if you are able to do so. If you are not CPR certified and do not obtain the knowledge of how to perform CPR, call 911 and the operator will instruct you on how to do so. If a person has a bleeding injury, apply pressure to the affected area to prevent further bleeding.
General safety:
- Keep updated on the situation by radio or television networks.
- Stay away from all power lines.
- Watch for broken glass and other sharp objects.
- Keep your animals under control.
- Do not enter damaged houses, apartments, or other buildings.
- Do not use candles, matches, or lighters; broken natural gas lines may be present.
- If you are in a building and smell gas or hear a blowing/hissing noise, evacuate the building immediately and call 911.
- Remain calm.
Cleaning up:
- Wear boots or sturdy shoes, long sleeves, pants, and gloves.
- Follow instructions on power saws and other tools.
- Clean up spilled medicines, drugs, flammable liquids, and other hazardous materials.
Rebuilding:
When you are rebuilding your home or business, make plans with the contractor to install a safe room (if the building does not have a basement.) Safe rooms come in all different sizes (see images below) and can withstand EF4 or EF5 rated tornadoes. These safe rooms can be installed above ground or below ground inside or outside your home. Many people choose to have their safe room installed in the garage of their home.
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