Prior to a Tornado:

• Make a Plan
  • Pre-designate a safe place to take shelter in case a tornado warning is issued. Such places include: a basement, an interior room (bathroom or closet) or a hallway on the lowest possible level of the building.
  • Learn the protection position (Crouch as low as possible to the floor with knees bent, facing down; and cover your head with your hands, fingers locked behind head.)
  • Designate a meeting place for family members (in case members get separated during the storm).
  • Regularly practice drills with your family.
  • Be familiar with the different types of weather warnings and watches the National Weather Service might issue:
    • Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for the development of tornadoes in and close to the watch area. This watch is normally issued well in advance of the actual occurrence of severe weather.  During the watch, people should review tornado safety rules and be prepared to move to a safe place if threatening weather approaches.
    • Tornado Warning means a tornado is indicated by radar or has been sighted by spotters. People in the affected area should seek safe shelter immediately.

·         Know the signs of a tornado: Weather forecasting science is not perfect and some tornadoes do occur without a warning. There is no substitute for staying alert to the sky. Besides an obviously visible tornado, here are some things to look and listen for:

o        Strong, persistent rotation in the cloud base.

o        Whirling dust or debris on the ground under a cloud base -- tornadoes sometimes have no funnel!

o        Hail or heavy rain followed by either dead calm or a fast, intense wind shift. Many tornadoes are wrapped in heavy precipitation and can't be seen.

o        During the day or night - Loud, continuous roar or rumble, which doesn't fade in a few seconds like thunder does.

o        During the night - Small, bright, blue-green to white flashes at ground level near a thunderstorm (as opposed to silvery lightning up in the clouds). These mean power lines are being snapped by very strong wind, maybe a tornado.

o        During the night - Persistent lowering from the cloud base, illuminated or silhouetted by lightning -- especially if it is on the ground or there is a blue-green-white power flash underneath.  

During a Tornado:

• Move to a pre-designated safe place, such as a basement, an interior room (bathroom or closet) or a hallway on the lowest level possible.  A bath tub may offer partial protection.
• Stay away from windows.
• Brace yourself under a sturdy piece of furniture, such as a workbench or heavy table.  Even in an interior room, you should cover yourself with some sort of thick padding (mattress, blankets, etc.) to protect against falling debris in case the roof and ceiling fail.
• Assume the protection position (Crouch as low as possible to the floor with knees bent, facing down; and cover your head with your hands).
• Know where very heavy objects rest on the floor above (pianos, refrigerators, waterbeds, etc.) and do not go under them. They may fall down through a weakened floor and crush you.
• Listen to the TV or radio for updated weather information and instructions.

Special Circumstances:

• In a mobile home: Get out! Even if your home is tied down, you are probably safer outside, even if the only alternative is to seek shelter in the open. Most tornadoes can destroy even tied-down mobile homes; and it is best not to play the low odds that yours will make it. If there is a sturdy permanent building within easy running distance, seek shelter there. Otherwise, lie flat on low ground away from your home, protecting your head. If possible, use open ground away from trees and cars, which can be blown onto you.
• In a car or truck: Vehicles are extremely dangerous in a tornado. If the tornado is visible, far away, and the traffic is light, you may be able to drive out of its path by moving at right angles to the tornado. Otherwise, park the car as quickly and safely as possible -- out of the traffic lanes. Get out and seek shelter in a sturdy building. Avoid seeking shelter under bridges, which can create deadly traffic hazards while offering little protection against flying debris.
• In the open outdoors: If possible, seek shelter in a sturdy building. If not, lie flat and face-down on low ground or in a ditch, protecting the back of your head with your arms and hands. Get as far away from trees and cars as you can because they may be blown onto you in a tornado.