Tornado Preparedness

What To Do:

1. get a NOAA weather radio
2. turn it on if the weather is favorable for strong Tstorms

What To Listen For:

• Tornado Watch: Tornadoes are possible in your area. Remain alert for approaching storms.
• Tornado Warning: A tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. If a tornado warning is issued for your area and the sky becomes threatening, move to your pre-designated place of safety.
• Severe Thunderstorm Watch: Severe thunderstorms are possible in your area.
• Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Severe thunderstorms are occurring.

Keep in mind, tornadoes occasionally develop in areas in which a severe thunderstorm watch or warning is in effect.
Remain alert to signs of an approaching tornado and seek shelter if threatening conditions exist.


Environmental Clues to look out for:
about 1-2 hours ahead of a possible tornado:

• all birds gone, deadquiet with no singing and tweeting (of birds)

minutes ahead of a possible tornado:

• Dark, often greenish sky
• Wall cloud
• Large hail
• Loud roar; similar to a freight train

if you see or hear any of these, immediately get into a safe room:

• if you have a basement, rush into your basement,
• if there is no basement, move into a windowless room or closet or under a sturdy piece of furniture at the lowest level of your home,
• if you're living in a mobile home: get out there and hide in the next ditch/ low lying area as shown in the image below (NOAA)
• if you're in a car: get out there and hide in the next ditch/ low lying area as shown in the image below (NOAA)

From Pawgang's roses and weather-rollercoaster