A tornado is capable of destroying everything in its path including homes and trees. Being prepared and knowing what to do are important factors in surviving a tornado. A tornado preparedness checklist can be posted for everyone in the home to understand and know what to do if disaster happens.
Before
Having a survival kit packed with essential items will ensure that a person is prepared if disaster strikes in their city or area. Some items to include in a survival kit are all the prescription medications that will be needed for proper care of an individual’s health, first aid kit, utility and emergency phone numbers, flashlights, radios and batteries. Some nonperishable food items will need to be available as well as a change of clothes and maybe some blankets. There may be some days spent without electricity due to damages caused by the tornado, and that means no way of cooking or staying warm.
If the weather looks threatening, keep radios and television stations tuned to the local stations for updates in your area. Communities have special ways to communicate with the residents to warn them of approaching storms. Some cities have weather sirens that will sound an alarm to alert the residents to a tornado. It is better to take all precautions even if the alert has not gone out. Being prepared can be a matter of life or death.
The area around the home will need to have some attention to prepare it from the high winds. If there are any diseased trees, the removal of these can prevent them from becoming air born. Do not wait until the day of a storm to do this. The condition of the trees should be monitored to eliminate them when needed before it is too late. Lawn furniture, hanging plants and trashcans will need to be secured to keep them from being picked up by the high winds.
Make sure everybody in the family is aware of the differences between a tornado watch and a tornado warning. A tornado watch lets everybody know that it is possible to have a tornado, but a warning lets us know that one has been spotted in the area. If a warning is issued for that area, go to a safe area immediately. Make sure everybody in the home knows where that location is before a warning is issued. Get everybody prepared by having tornado drills with family members. Stay alert and listen for changes in the weather such as the wind blowing harder, so the family can go to a safe location.
The safe place needs to be somewhere that will be away from glass or flying objects. At home choose a room on the lowest floor with no windows, a hallway or a basement, but if outside away from the home go to the nearest building or lie flat in a ditch. If traveling by car, get out and seek safety if possible.
After
The tornado has passed through the neighborhood, but the danger is not over. Power lines are down and areas may have damage. Stay inside until it is safe to go outside. Listen to updates on a battery operated radio if no electricity is available. Make sure that every family member is safe and well, and then use a flashlight to check for damages to the home. If there are damages to gas lines that has caused a gas leak, open a window, leave the building immediately and call the fire department. Be careful on the outside due to possible live power lines.