Tornadoes
might not be as common in New York as they are in other areas of the United
States, but it is important to be prepared and know how to react to stay safe.
Keep reading for 5 tornado safety tips to keep in mind this summer.
Stay Informed
A large part of staying safe during any type of severe weather is staying informed. Ensure you are following credible sources, like the National Weather Service (NWS) department assigned to your local area, for accurate and up to date information. Knowing the difference between a tornado watch and warning is also important. According to the NWS, a tornado watch indicates weather conditions that could produce a tornado and are designed to give you enough warning to prepare for the potential of a catastrophic event. During a watch, you should keep a close eye on the weather service you are following for updates as conditions can rapidly change.
A tornado warning, however, is more serious. When a tornado warning is issued, the NWS advises that either a tornado has been spotted by a credible source, or a developing tornado is being watched on a doppler radar. Warnings are typically only active for a short period of time (about an hour) in a smaller area than a watch would be. If you are in a warning area, you should take action and seek shelter immediately.
Seek Shelter
As soon as you hear the news that your area may be affected by a tornado you should start planning to seek shelter. Gather anyone in your area, including your pets, and head to the safest location available. If you are in a tornado warning zone, this should be done immediately and might look a little different than if you were in a watch and had more time to prepare. Finding the lowest level of the building you are in, or a small interior room without windows like a closet, bathroom, or hallway will be safest. The NWS advises that if you are in a mobile home, you should try to seek shelter in a stronger building.
If you are driving or are outside and unable to find shelter, the NWS encourages you to find the lowest spot possible on the ground. Think deep ditches or underground culverts and bring an item like a jacket to cover your head for protection. Once you find an area you feel is as safe as possible, lie flat and use your hands and the item you brought to protect your head. The key takeaways from the National Weather Service’s Tornado Safety Rules are to seek shelter, stay away from windows, doors, and exterior walls, and to protect your head at all costs.
Stay Inside
While it might be tempting to go outside and see what the weather is doing, it is best to stay inside. Your safety should be a top priority during extreme weather warnings. Consider bringing a battery powered radio with you to stay informed of weather updates. Experts advise against trying to outrun tornadoes in your vehicle, as the tornado may move in your direction faster than you can travel. In the event that a tornado is headed your way, being in a vehicle is dangerous as they can easily be swept up in the wake of the tornado and thrown.
Keep an Emergency Kit
Having an emergency kit at the ready is never a bad idea because we can’t always predict when to expect severe weather with enough advanced notice to prepare for it. The National Weather Service compiled an in-depth list of items to consider including:
- A First Aid Kit
- Flashlight(s) & Batteries
- Non-Perishable Food & Water - 3 days’ worth for each family member, including pets.
- A Whistle - to call for help.
- Prescription Medications & Other Special Needs - at least 3 days’ worth.
- A Battery Powered Radio/Weather Radio
- Solar/Battery Powered Phone Charger
- Blankets
- Extra Clothes
- & More
We’ve also compiled an in-depth list of items to consider keeping in your car safety kit like; a first aid kit, tire gauge, flashlight, jumper cables, emergency flares, and more! Check it out here.
Being prepared for the storm may help to ease some stress you may be experiencing when extreme weather is headed your way, and having an emergency kit will be helpful if you are impacted.
After the Storm: Use Caution
Once the storm is over and weather warnings have been lifted, it may be tempting to head out to see the effects that a tornado had on not only your home, but also your community. However, the safest thing to do is to stay in your home, if it is stable and safe, and wait for further instruction from town, county, and/or government officials. When you do head out, experts advise assuming that any utility lines that are down are live power lines and to stay away from them. Power lines are very dangerous and coming into contact with them or bodies of water they touch could seriously injure you.
Offering help and support to your community is invaluable after tragedy strikes. If you are able, consider volunteering to help clean up debris or donating time or resources to organizations that help communities in times of disaster. Contributing in any way you can will mean so much to those who are affected by a natural disaster.
When severe weather is approaching, it can be a stressful and overwhelming feeling. By being prepared and following the tips above, you will ensure you are as safe as possible both during and after a tornado.
To learn
more about the difference between a tornado watch and warning, click the button
below.
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