Tornados

One of the most important things you can do to prevent being injured in a tornado is to know the signs of a tornado. Most deaths and injuries happen to people who are unaware and uninformed. Plan your escape before a tornado strikes. A safe shelter near your home is the best option for evacuation. In an emergency, lie in a ditch or some other low-lying area outdoors. Don’t remain in your home.

If strange clouds start moving in and the weather begins to look stormy, turn to the local radio or television station to get the weather forecast. If a tornado watch is issued for your area, it means that a tornado is possible and that you should watch for these signs.

  • A green or greenish black sky color.

  • A strange quiet period shortly after the thunderstorm.

  • Debris dropping from the sky.

  • Clouds moving by rapidly in a rotating pattern or converging toward one area of the sky.

  • Debris being pulled upwards, even if no funnel cloud is visible.

  • A sound like a waterfall or rushing air at first, but turning into a roar as it comes closer. The roar of a tornado is similar to railroad trains and jets.

  • With a tornado watch posted, consider hail as a real danger sign.

If a tornado warning is issued, it means that a tornado has actually been seen or identified on radar, and it is time to seek safe shelter immediately.

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