Tornado Safety

Tornado Safety

Tornadoes are nature’s most violent storms. Within minutes, they can destroy neighborhoods, uproot trees, make cars airborne, and cause fatalities. Tornadoes are most common in the south-central region of the United States, known as “Tornado Alley.” However, they can happen anywhere. Following these tornado safety tips will give you and your family the best chance of staying safe.

If You are Home During a Tornado:

• Get to a windowless interior room on lowest level of your house, such as a basement, or storm cellar. If there is no basement, go to an inner hallway or inner room without windows, like a bathroom or closet.
• Stay in the center of the room and away from corners because they attract debris.
• Go under a piece of sturdy furniture like a workbench, heavy table, or desk, and hold on to it.
• Cover your head and eyes with a blanket or coat, to protect against debris.
• Use your arms to protect head and neck.
• Keep pets on a leash or in a crate, or carrier.
• If you are in a mobile home, get out and find shelter elsewhere.
• Stay inside until the storm has passed.

If You Are in a Building:

• In a large store or mall: Don’t panic. Quickly move to an interior bathroom, storage room or other small enclosed area, away from windows and glass doors.
• In a theater, church, hospital, school or office building: Don’t panic. Go to the lowest floor and quickly move to an inner room, away from windows and glass doors. Crouch face-down and protect your head with your arms. If you’re in a theater or church, go under the seats or pews, protecting your head with your arms or hands.
• Do not use elevators because of possible power failures.

If You are Outdoors:

• Lie in a ditch or low-lying area near you and lie down in it. Be aware of the potential for flooding.
• Cover your head with your arms, or coat, if possible.

If You are in a Car:

• Never try to drive faster than a tornado in a vehicle, as tornadoes can change direction quickly and erratically. However, if you can safely drive away from the tornado, do so with caution.
• If there is a building nearby, take shelter.
• If you cannot get indoors: Exit your vehicle and get far enough away so that it doesn’t tumble onto you. Lie in a ditch or low-lying area and be aware of the potential for flooding.

Image by The Friedman Group

The Difference Between a Tornado Watch & Warning:

Along with severe weather comes warnings from The National Weather Service. Deepening on the severity, they may issue one or more warnings.

Tornado Watch: Conditions are favorable for the development of tornadoes in and around the watch area.

Tornado Warning: A tornado has been sighted or indicated by radar. When a tornado warning has been issued, people in the affected area are strongly encouraged to take cover immediately.

ALE Solutions is here 24/7/365 and ready to serve! We get to the impacted area within 24 hours of the catastrophic event, such as tornadoes. Our “Boots on the Ground” strategy allows us to secure properties and hotel rooms on a “first come, first served” basis. For more information on our Catastrophe Solutions, please visit alesolutions.com