It's that time of year again, and my tornado post was pretty popular, so I decided to break off my tornado safety section and make it its own post.
Those of us who live in Tornado Alley have grown up with a lot of this, but if you are new to the area, or perhaps live in the deep south, the new tornado hot-spot known as "Dixie Alley" here in the storm community, it is CRITICAL that you know what to do in case of a tornado. The southeast has the highest concentration of pre-fab homes (mobile homes) in the nation. If you live in one, please have a tornado plan in place as trailers and pre-fab homes will NOT protect you from a tornado. The best place to be is underground, but in the south, basements are few and far between.
The National Weather Service has a great explanation for why some storms produce tornadoes:
The key atmospheric ingredients that lead to tornado potential are instability - warm moist air near the ground, with cooler dry air aloft and wind shear - a change in wind speed and/or direction with height. An unstable airmass promotes the development of strong updrafts, while wind shear will further increase the strength of the updraft, and promotes the rotation from which tornadoes are produced.
All thunderstorms have the potential to produce tornadoes, but the type of storm that is most commonly tornadic is the supercell. This very severe, long-lived thunderstorm contains circulation aloft (mesocyclone) that grows upward through the storm and downward toward the ground. When conditions are favorable, tornadoes will be produced. Supercells may produce strong, violent tornadoes, or several tornadoes over a period of several hours.
Now, let's talk about the difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning.
A TORNADO WATCH means that conditions are favorable for the development of tornadic supercell thunderstorms. A PDS TORNADO WATCH means "Particularly Dangerous Situation" and only a handful of these types of watches are issued every year, so when one is issued for your area, it's time to keep your eyes to the sky and be weather aware!
A TORNADO WARNING means that a tornado has either been indicated by radar or spotted and reported by a trained storm spotter, and your location is under imminent threat. When a warning is issued, it's time to drop everything and put your tornado plan into action. When a warning is issued, you will have approximately twelve to fifteen minutes to put your plan into action (though warning times get a little better each year!).
Identify a nearby shelter - this can be anything from a dedicated communal storm shelter to a gas station to a grocery store to a church, just make sure it has sturdy walls (The best place to be is underground, but in the south, basements are few and far between). If going to a store, the store teams will show you where to go inside the store.
Wear sturdy clothes - sneakers/tennis shoes, jeans and a good shirt or jacket are good, in case you need to climb through rubble.
Get a weather radio - most tornado deaths happen in the middle of the night. Remember, outdoor warning sirens are just that - outdoor. They are intended to tell people outside that it is time to take shelter. You may or may not hear them inside. Weather radios save lives, and many places have sales on them in March.
Have important documents ready to go - stick them in your purse ahead of time so you know you have them when you leave or it's time to take shelter inside your home.
Have an emergency supply of medication, batteries, water, and small snacks - if you are trapped after the storm, you will want this small stash to take care of you and your family while you wait for help to arrive.
Kennel your pets - as the storm approaches, have them in their carriers. Be aware that some places may not allow you to bring them inside, even in emergencies. So make sure to locate a shelter that will allow them.
What to do when sheltering:
If sheltering in your own home - go to the lowest level of your house and choose a room with no outside walls. If this is not available, choose a room with the least amount of outside walls. Avoid areas with lots of glass.
If sheltering in a store - follow the prompts of the store employees. They will show you where their tornado area is.
Assume the tornado position - if you went to school in Tornado Alley, you probably know this one. Facing the wall furthest from the outside of the house, sit with your legs folded under you and lean forward into a ball shape. Place your hands on the back of your head and neck to protect them.
[Image via the Indiana Department of Education]
Severe weather season peaks in April and May, but remember that a tornado can happen any time the ingredients are right and everyone east of the Rocky Mountains are at a higher risk of seeing one!
