Prepare for a Tornado

Tornadoes can be very frighting and very destructive. You should make advanced preparations so you are prepared and know what to do should a tornado strike or be on its way. This hub has some steps on how to prepare for a tornado.

1. Understand that tornadoes can occur just about anywhere, at any time. The U.S. has the most tornadoes each year, but tornadoes have occurred on every continent except Antarctica. While tornadoes are more common at certain times of year (in the spring and summer in the U.S.), these deadly storms can strike during any month of the year and at any time of the day or night. No matter when you're reading this article, if you don't have a plan in place, you should start now, and you should make sure your preparations are up-to-date throughout the year.

2. Know what to watch for. Tornadoes almost always develop in the presence of thunderstorms (though the thunderstorm may be some distance away from you), so lightning, rain, and hail (especially if occurring after a tornado watch or warning has been issued) should put you on guard. In addition, watch out for the following:

* Darkening skies, particularly if the sky appears a sickly greenish color * Strong, persistent rotation of the cloud base * Very calm and quiet conditions during or right after a thunderstorm * A rumble or roar that sounds like continuous thunder or, sometimes, a train or jet * Whirling debris near the ground, even in the absence of a funnel cloud * Blue-green or white flashes at ground level in the distance at night--a sign of power lines being snapped by high winds

3. Stay informed. Even if you know the signs of a tornado, you can't always rely on your own eyes and ears alone to know if one is coming. Listen to local radio stations or watch local TV to stay informed, especially during conditions that are likely to form tornadoes.

* In the U.S. the best way to get information about severe weather is to get a NOAA weather radio. These can be purchased cheaply at most big box retailers and outdoor supply stores. If possible, find one with backup battery power and a tone-alert feature which automatically notifies you when the National Weather Service issues a severe weather watch or warning for your area. * Find a website with a local radar link or page. This will give you a real-time look at storm cells in your area, and because you can see the intensity and direction of movement of storm cells and systems relevant to your home, you can judge more accurately when precautions should be taken. Several weather websites have this feature. * Find out if your community has tornado sirens and learn what they sound like. If you hear these sirens, seek shelter immediately.

4. Listen for tornado watches and warnings. The National Weather Service in the U.S. issues both watches and warnings for severe weather.

* A tornado watch indicates that conditions are right for tornado development and tornadoes are possible in your area. If you hear a tornado watch or a severe thunderstorm watch, you should pay special attention to weather conditions. * A tornado warning indicates that a tornado has been seen in your area or that radar indicates the presence of a tornado. If a tornado warning is issued, you should seek appropriate shelter immediately. A severe thunderstorm warning means that a severe thunderstorm has been spotted in your area, and you should take appropriate precautions and watch for tornadoes. * Keep maps of your local area handy so that you can identify the location of a storm when it's reported on the radio.

5. Identify appropriate shelters at home, work, and school. When a tornado strikes, you often don't have time to search for an appropriate place to seek shelter. Think about where you'll go ahead of time so that you'll be ready in the event of a storm. For more information on where to seek shelter, see this article. In general:

* Check the structure of your home. In the event you are in your home when a tornado strikes, you should know what area is the most structurally capable of withstanding the force of the tornado. If you have a tornado shelter, that is the best place to go, and if you live in an area that frequently experiences tornadoes, you should consider building such a shelter. Otherwise seek shelter in a basement or, if you don't have a basement, in an interior room (particularly a bathroom) on the first floor of your house. * Know where to go at work or school. The general rules for seeking shelter at home also apply at work or school. If you are in a tornado-prone area, your workplace or school may have a designated shelter.

6. Prepare a family disaster plan. If a tornado or other disaster strikes, communicating with your family may be difficult or impossible. Plan ahead to make sure everyone knows what to do in the event of a disaster. You should also maintain a disaster supplies kit at all times. If your workplace or school doesn't have a disaster plan in place, work to develop one.