Tornado

To prepare your home for a tornado, pick a room in your house to gather in for shelter.  This room should be:

• In the lowest level of your home toward the center, if possible ( example:  a bathroom or closet )
• Free from windows when possible
• Kept clutter free
• In a high rise building you may not have time to get to the basement, so a hallway in the center of the building should be used for shelter
• Complete a family disaster plan and assemble a disaster supply kit
• If you live in a mobile home, you should evacuate to a sturdy, permanent structure.

This room should also contain a NOAA weather radio. (The NOAA weather radio can be purchased for under $25 at any electronics store such as Radio Shack or Best Buy).

A WATCH indicates that conditions exist for the formation of a tornado:

• Listen to local TV, the weather channel, local radio or NOAA weather radio for updates
• Be alert to changing weather conditions such as blowing debris or increasing winds

A WARNING indicates that  a tornado is suspected due to visual sighting or radar information:

• If you are inside go to the safe place identified earlier
• If you are outside or in a car seek shelter in a basement, nearby sturdy building, or lie flat in a low lying area

After a tornado passes:

• Stay away from fallen power lines and out of damaged areas
• Call 9-1-1 only to report emergencies
• Listen to the radio or TV for instructions
• Use a flashlight to inspect your home for damage
• Do not use candles at any time