Tornado, Tornado disasters, natural disaster tornado, Tornado Emergency Preparedness

Tornado

Tornado is one of the most violent storms on earth. A tornado looks like a rotating and funnel shape cloud. It expands from the thunderstorm to the ground by way of whirling winds reaching about 300 miles per hour. The damage path can move on to one mile wide and 50 miles long. Tornado may strike quickly with small or no warning.

Understanding Tornado

Tornado may appear almost transparent till it picks up the dust and debris or a cloud makes up in the funnel. On an average, tornado moves Southwest to Northeast, but it may move from any direction. Tornadoes are followed by tropical storms and hurricanes as they move on land. The tornadoes made over water are called Waterspouts.

Most frequently, tornadoes are accounted in the east of Rocky Mountains in the spring and summer months. March is the high tornado season in southern states and ranges through May. In the northern states, the time of tornado is late spring by early summer. It is likely for tornadoes to occur between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. Tornadoes can cause victims and losses. It may devastate your neighborhood in few seconds.

Preparing for Tornado

Look for the approaching storms. Before the tornado hits, wind may stop blowing. You may see a cloud of debris marking the location of tornado. Tornadoes may happen close to the trailing edge of thunderstorm.
The sky becomes dark and often greenish. You may see clear and sunlit sky behind the tornado.
Tornado has a loud roar, almost like a freight train.
Listen to weather radio or commercial radio or television for latest information about tornado.
As you see the approaching tornado, immediately be prepared to take shelter.
Take cover and stay off from windows, doors, walls and open space.
Protect your self from falling debris.
If in a vehicle, get out at once and take shelter in a substantial structure.
If you do not find any shelter, you may lie flat in a nearby ditch with your hands covering your head.

What to do throughout a Tornado

Reach to basement or storm cellar or the last level of building.
You can also go to the inner hallway or the little small room with no windows.
Do not go near windows.
Get under the piece of strong furniture.
Cover your head and neck with your arms.
When in a mobile home, you should move out and take your shelter some where else.

What to do after a Tornado

After the tornado, you may see much debris. Take care of your safety.
Listen to radio or television to have the recent emergency information.
Help the injured and trapped persons. Give them first aid and don't try to move in the seriously injured.
Keep your way off the damaged buildings.
Come back home when authorities declare that it is safe.
Use telephone only in emergency.
Clean spilled medicines, gasoline or any sort of flammable liquids.
Leave the building if you smell gas or any chemical fume.

Supplies to face Tornado