Mother Nature’s most powerful and unpredictable storm, the tornado is a fact of life for many families living in the central United States, where more tornadoes strike than anywhere else on the planet. During the spring, when cold, dry air masses from the arctic collide with warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico, conditions are just right for the formation of deadly tornadoes. Tornadoes produce the fastest winds on Earth, with the fastest wind ever recorded topping 317 miles per hour. The unbelievable winds are strong enough to rip apart everything in their paths, sending debris into the air, which acts like deadly missiles and bullets to people and objects that are in the path of the storm. Living through a tornado is a frightening experience for adults, let alone children, but by arming kids with knowledge about tornadoes and what to do if one should develop, they will be better prepared to deal with the storm and hopefully have a better chance of surviving a direct hit.
One of the first things that parents need to teach their kids to do is to keep an eye on the local weather report on television, radio, or computer so that they will be aware if conditions are favorable for the formation of tornadoes and powerful storms. Tornadoes can occur quickly and with no warning, but in recent years, better computer models and more powerful radar systems have improved forecasting and warning times. Children should also be taught to check the weather forecast for alerts and warnings if they notice certain conditions outside. For example, large, billowy clouds that spring up in a short amount of time could signal the formation of strong thunderstorms, the birth places of tornadoes. Finally, parents need to teach their children about the various watches and warnings that may be issued during stormy weather. When weather forecast models show that the conditions in the atmosphere are ripe for the formation of powerful storms, the National Weather Service will issue a severe thunderstorm watch. Severe thunderstorms can and do produce tornadoes. An area may also fall under a tornado watch, which is an alert that says that conditions are favorable for the development of tornadoes. People in tornado watch areas should be on the lookout for these dangerous storms. Finally, if a tornado has been spotted by trained storm spotters or on radar, the National Weather Service will issue a tornado warning. A tornado warning is a signal to all the residents in an area that a tornado is imminent and that they need to seek shelter immediately.
Next, it’s important for kids to know where to go for shelter during a tornado. Before the storm season, parents should formulate a tornado safety plan with their kids that outlines where to go and what to do should a tornado warning be issued. If kids are at home, the safest place to be is in a basement under a heavy piece of furniture, which will protect them from flying debris. If a home does not have a basement, the next best choice at home is an interior room like a closet or a bathroom. Kids should cover themselves with heavy padding and protect their heads. It’s also important to tell children not to go near windows during a storm. Windows can break easily, sending shards of glass flying throughout the house.
Tornadoes may also strike when kids are at school. Most schools that are located in states that have a high frequency of tornadoes practice regular tornado drills. Children should be instructed to follow the orders of their teachers and school administrators should a tornado hit. However, not all schools practice tornado drills. Children that attend these schools need to go into a windowless stairwell, bathroom, or interior hallway and protect their heads. If they are in a gym, they need to leave immediately and seek refuge in a safer location. The roofs in spaces like gymnasiums are unsafe because they lack structural support and can be easily torn off by strong winds.
Kids can also help around the house to prepare for a tornado. One thing that kids can do is to help to clean up the yard. They can put away garbage and help to trim trees. During a tornado, these objects can break free and fly around in the air, causing major destruction. Next, kids can help to prepare a disaster kit for the family, which should include a battery powered radio, flashlights, extra batteries, first aid kit, sturdy shoes and gloves, an extra change of clothes, and non-perishable food and water for 3 days. Kids can offer input into the tornado emergency plan. When they are active participants in activities such as this, they are more likely to remember what to do should a tornado hit.