Tornados are destructive and awesome storms that have an uncanny knack of taking one house away on a block, and leaving the rest. Meteorologists are continuously baffled at this phenomenon. Due to the unpredictable nature of tornadoes, it is important that people know how to stay safe before, during, and after a tornado. The first rule of thumb is to always get below ground in a basement or storm cellar if possible. If people do not have a basement in their homes, they should get to the strongest point of a house, such as the bathtub, a closet, or a hallway on the lowest floor. If a person is in a hallway they should place a mattresses over their bodies and head to help protect them if the roof caves in, and the walls fall down all around them. When children are in school, walking single file to the hallway and hunching down on their knees with their heads protected is the best course during a tornado. Tornadoes can happen at any time, but the peak seasons are mostly known to be the spring time during March through May, but many tornadoes are known to happen during the summers in June through September, as well as during the winter months. Tornadoes that are most prone to hit are in places called Tornado Alley, which are in the central part of the United States which are between the Rocky Mountains and the Appalachian Mountains. These states include Texas, Kansas, Missouri, Mississippi, Tennessee, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Colorado, and even as far as Florida. Other places that tornadoes have been known to hit are Pennsylvania, parts of Canada, Ohio Valley, and the Great Lakes areas. Tornadoes can happen anywhere where two different warm and cold air masses collide.
Staying safe during the tornado season also means knowing the difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning. A tornado watch is when there is a possibility of a tornado, a tornado warning is when a tornado has already been spotted on the ground. Most towns and cities will have tornado sirens that will go off to alert people to take cover. When a person is in the vicinity of a tornado, they should never get in their cars to outrun a tornado. Tornadoes are known to go up to speeds of fifty miles per hour or more. The key is to get to the lowest point of the ground, so people who may be caught out in a tornado, should find a ditch to jump into. When a person knows that they are under a tornado watch, they should continually listen to the radio, or watch the news to find out any weather breaking news updates. When a tornado is near, there is no mistaking the loud sound of a train riding on rails. People should stay far away from windows as possible because windows can explode throwing glass in every direction. Most people that have been killed by tornadoes were struck by flying debris or glass. After a tornado passes, people should stay away from power lines that have fallen to the ground, as well as stay away from damaged structures.
Flashlights and candles are recommended to keep around at all times in case a storm hits. If the power goes out, people will need light to see. People will also need flashlights after a tornado, so that they can get through their homes without hurting themselves. If a person’s home has been left unscathed during a tornado, it is recommended that people stay in their homes for awhile until the entire storm passes because there could still be dangers with lightning, floods, and hail.