Tornadoes
A tornado is a rapidly spinning, fast-moving, funnel-shaped cloud. Most tornadoes occur during late spring and summer, in the late afternoon. But they can strike anywhere, at any time.
Is it a watch or warning?
- A tornado watch is issued by the National Weather Service when tornadoes are possible in the area.
- A tornado warning means a tornado has been sighted. Seek shelter immediately.
During a tornado, at home:
- Go immediately to the basement. If there's no basement, go to the lowest floor. Stay in an inner room, away from windows and doors.
- Get beneath a sturdy piece of furniture, such as a desk or table.
- Mobile homes are not safe during a tornado. Leave your mobile home. Take shelter in a sturdy, well-built building with a strong foundation. If shelter is not available, lie in a ditch or low-lying area away from the mobile home. Mobile homes are very vulnerable and can overturn easily even when the unit has been tied down with iron straps.
During a tornado, outdoors:
- If there are no buildings nearby to shelter in, lie flat in a ditch.
- Cover your head with your arms and hands.
During a tornado, in a car:
- Don't try to out-drive a tornado if it is close, if it is moving toward you or if there is traffic.
- Get out of the car immediately. Look for shelter or a ditch to lie flat in.
- Don't go beneath a bridge or highway overpass.
During a tornado, at work:
- Go to the area designated in in your tornado plan.
- Avoid places with wide-span roofs such as auditoriums, cafeterias, large hallways, or malls.
Damage often occurs when wind gets inside a home. Keep all windows and doors closed. Houses do not explode because of air pressure differences. Violent winds and debris slamming into buildings cause most structural damage.
Page created and maintained by Vickie Hickman and Tift County CERT volunteers.
Last change: July 4, 2009
Copyright 2009, Vickie Hickman