-
-
Every year over a thousand tornadoes strike the United States alone, some appearing with little warning and leaving a wake of destruction in their path. Although they can strike anywhere, tornadoes are most likely to occur across the midwest or the great planes. States like Oklahoma and Kansas are especially prone, where many homeowners have tornado shelters somewhere on their property. Although you may have little time to implement them, there are precautions you can take to increase your chances of survival during a tornado. This guide will provide you with tips on how to survive one of these vicious storms.
-
-
Every year over a thousand tornadoes strike the United States alone, some appearing with little warning and leaving a wake of destruction in their path. Although they can strike anywhere, tornadoes are most likely to occur across the midwest or the great planes. States like Oklahoma and Kansas are especially prone, where many homeowners have tornado shelters somewhere on their property. Although you may have little time to implement them, there are precautions you can take to increase your chances of survival during a tornado. This guide will provide you with tips on how to survive one of these vicious storms.
-
Introduction
- If you have ever suffered through a natural disaster and lived to tell your story, then you understand the intensity and sudden onset of nature's wrath, thus realize the importance of being prepared. Although natural disasters like earthquakes and tornadoes often strike with little warning, you can still take precautions if you live in areas prone to these disturbances. The following guide will provide you with information on how to survive a tornado.
Step 1: Educate Yourself
- Being informed is one of the best defenses a person can have when the threat of a tornado is on the horizon, so if you live in an area where these storms are prevalent, learn as much as you can about them! You can talk to tornado survivors or read books. Do some online research on them or watch special storm chasing programs on the Weather Channel.
Step 2: Prepare a Tornado Survival Kit
- Tornado survival kits are an important part of the entire survival process. Although you may not be given ample warning before a tornado touches down, that does not mean you cannot prepare ahead of time. Tornado survival kits should be ready to go, and kept either in your storm shelter or a tornado safety room inside your home. Supplies you may want to include:
- Bottled water
- Nonperishable food
- Batteries
- Blankets
- Flashlight
- First aid supplies
- Radio
Step 3: Know the Warning Signs
- Although tornadoes are not known for giving people much time to prepare, towns that are hit by them frequently usually have a warning system in the form of an alarm that will sound throughout the area. Other ways to warn the public are done so via radio and television broadcasts. Meteorologists will designate:
- Tornado Watches. This simply means that all signs point to the possibility for funnel activity. You should be on alert and pay attention to any sudden changes in the weather. Make sure you have your survival kit on hand and are ready to seek out appropriate shelter if necessary.
- Tornado Warnings. This means a tornado has been sighted in the area. Although one may not touch down in your neighborhood, if a warning has been issued you should be even more alert and ready in case the tornado does approach your home.
- Sometimes tornadoes will materialize without much warning at all. Rather, you will be alerted be their loud approach. You may hear a roaring sound, like the arrival of a freight train, accompanied by uneven cloud bases, sporadic wind patterns and an eerie, almost green colored sky.
Step 4: Seek Shelter
- Seeking the appropriate shelter is crucial during a tornado, as it may be the difference between life or death. If you are at home when the tornado hits, then the best option is to seek a storm shelter if one is available and you have time to get to it. A basement, if you have one, is also a good choice. Otherwise, go to a:
- Bathroom
- Closet
- Room that is windowless or has very little furniture or glass
- If you are driving when the tornado strikes it is a good idea to pull off the road and lie down in a ditch or any low lying area you can find.
Conclusion
- If you live in an area where tornadoes are prevalent, you might want to consider learning more about these vicious, unpredictable storms and how to increase your chances of survival should one strike your town. By following the above guide, you can at least try and stay one step ahead of the storm.
About this page
-
Page Views0
No one is currently managing this page.
This page currently has no vertical manager.
Featured Pages
