Click to start Tornado Safety Basics SEASONAL SAFETY

Click to start

Tornado Safety Basics SEASONAL SAFETY T 201106 -01 © 2011 Bongarde

WHAT’S AT STAKE • Tornado season in North America begins in April • Peaks in June and July, and ends in September • Storms can occur at any time • 1, 000 in the United States • 80 in Canada each year

WHAT’S THE DANGER • Move as fast as 70 miles per hour (112 km/h) • Winds of more than 250 mph (400 km/h) • Cause many deaths and injuries every year • Great deal of property damage • Can develop very rapidly • Reduce the risk to personal safety and property

EXAMPLE • Tornadoes swept through the southern United States • Approximately 300 people were killed • Approximately 150 tornadoes on that one day alone

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF • Some tornadoes occur without a tornado warning • Sometimes the warnings are missed • Important to recognize these signs of a tornado: • • • Powerful thunderstorms Strong rotation in a cloud base Whirling dust and debris Precipitation followed by calm or wind shift A loud and continuous roar Power lines being snapped

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF What to Do When a Tornado is Coming: • • • Listen to your radio Don’t panic Follow directions for getting to shelter Secure objects such as garbage cans Injuries and deaths result from flying debris

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF What to Do When a Tornado is Coming: • • Take cover Go to the basement Crouch down under the stairs Do not take an elevator Go into the closet Underneath a sturdy piece of furniture Stay away from windows and outside doors

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF What to Do When a Tornado is Coming: • Not below heavy objects on a floor above you • Protect your head with your hands • If you are driving, safely park your car • Get to a building • Get away from the car • Lie flat and face down in low ground • Stay far from other cars or trees • Avoid being in a building with a wide-span roof

Final Word Tornadoes can occur so quickly there is little time to get to shelter or pack an emergency kit. Protect yourself and your family by planning ahead what you’ll do if a tornado strikes.