Escaping/Surviving Disaster: Tornado

Man marries woman. Things go badly. They separate. They meet again.

Suddenly, the wind begins to blow. Cows fly. Houses drop. The wind growls and romance sparks. Yes, it is the plot for a popular movie - the story of a man, a woman and a tornado.

The United States is tornado central for the world. Although most attention is focused on the area from Texas to Ohio known as tornado alley, tornadoes can and have occurred every where, every time of the day and every time of year. No place is totally safe.

When a tornado is possible, the weather service issues tornado watches for areas most at risk. A watch is just that. Everyone is watching to see if a tornado will occur.

Once a tornado is sighted by a visual sighting or by radar, the weather service issues a tornado warning. A warning for a particular area means a tornado has been seen. The warning will include the area of the probable path for the tornado.

Although approximately 1,000 tornadoes strike the U.S. each year, your chances of being hit are very small. Most injuries and deaths occur when tornadoes strike unexpectedly –such as at night while most people are asleep. Hearing and heeding a warning can save your life.

When a watch has been issued, stay aware of your surroundings. Does the sky have a strangely greenish-gray look? Are clouds moving quickly or strangely? Is there hail? Does the weather get suddenly quiet?

These can be signs a tornado is forming. A funnel cloud may form but a tornado may not have a visible funnel cloud. If debris starts falling from the sky or you see debris going up into the sky, get to safety. A tornado may sound like rushing water or air and will increase in intensity and volume to sound something like a train or jet engine.

A nighttime tornado may be harder to spot but there are some signs. Look for blue-green flashes of light near the ground indicating power lines are being snapped by strong winds. Watch to see if the darkest part of the bottom of the storm continues to lower to touch the ground. Look at the silhouette left by lightening.

If a tornado warning is issued or you see evidence of a tornado approaching, you must get to safety. The strongest tornado – an F5 – can actually grind the ground with such force it removes the top layers of land.

Here is a modern note. The popularity of tornado chasing and video has prompted untrained observers to be stupid.

Chasing tornadoes is for people who know what they are doing. Tornadoes can suddenly change direction. They can come in multiples. It is almost impossible to outrun a tornado – even in a vehicle.

News reports constantly show amateur video of tornadoes. Unless you have a death wish, attempting to video a tornado can be tragically dangerous. Even experienced photographers and videographers have been hurt or killed when distracted by watching the world through a viewfinder. Put the cameras down and get to safety.

You should already know the safest place in your home. Avoid windows. Many people are injured by flying or falling debris. You want a place that protects you – especially your head.

If you cannot find a protected place under a heavy table or stairway, use a blanket, mattress or other thick object to protect yourself. If you are on a bottom floor, be aware of heavy objects on the floors above you. Things such as appliances, pianos and other heavy furniture may fall through the floor onto you.

You want to get to the lowest level possible. A basement is best. You want a small enclosed area such as a closet, bathroom or stairwell. Stay away from windows or other glassed in areas.

If you have no other choice, go to an interior hallway. Crouch down and make yourself as small as possible. Keep your face down and cover your head with a blanket or some other thick object to protect yourself from debris.

Mobile homes and sheds offer no protection from tornadoes. Only permanent structures offer shelter.

If none is available, find a low spot in the ground. Lie flat and cover your head. Try to stay away from trees, cars and objects that could be blown onto you and crush you.

Since we spend much of our time away from home, chances are good that during a tornado we will not be at home. If you are in a school or building with a drill, follow instructions for safety.

If you are in a multi-story building, you want to get to the lowest level possible. Use the stairs, not the elevator. Go toward the center away from windows and outside walls.

Get under a heavy piece of furniture to protect yourself from falling debris. Cover your head. Stay away from large open rooms like auditoriums.

If you are in an arena or mall, you want to get away from windows or glassed areas. Also, stay away from large expanses of wall. Even single story buildings can collapse if the roof is torn off. A short wall or corner offers more protection.

Stay away from areas with wide-span roofs. Go to a wall or a small interior room. Look for a closet, bathroom, interior office or maintenance room. Crouch down and cover your head.

If you are in your car, get out. If the traffic is light and the tornado very far away, drive away at right angles to the storm.

Otherwise, get out and seek shelter. If no shelter is available, get away from the road and other vehicles. They can roll over onto you. Find a low spot, lie flat and cover your head with your arms.

Do not seek shelter under bridges. Although there have been videotaped examples of people surviving under a bridge or overpass, it will be no shelter from a strong tornado. You have a better chance in the open.

Once the storm has passed, take precautions to prevent injury. Get away or out of unsafe, damaged structures. Watch for fallen power lines. Call for help.

For more information about tornadoes and how to survive them, go to the Federal Emergency Management Agency website the website of the storm prediction center at the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration in Norman, OK. Other good sites are The Tornado Project and Red Cross.

Chances are you will not be the victim of a tornado. But, when chance fails, knowing what to do is the best way to survive.