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Tornado Safety Tips Your Family Should Know | SERVPRO® of South Nashville
4/18/2019 (Permalink)
Springtime weather around here is gorgeous and refreshing after a long winter, but it can also be a time of weather unpredictability. So it is smart to always be prepared for the chance of severe thunderstorms that lead to the perfect conditions for a tornado touchdown.
The highest occurrences of tornadoes, traditionally, occur in April and May, which means we are currently in the height of tornado season throughout the United States. Included in this blog are some tips and information on tornadoes that can help keep your family prepared for the worst possible scenario.
Thunderstorms, especially the ones known as “supercells,” are responsible for the roughly 1,200 tornado events in the U.S. each year.
When a tornado forms, it is due to the wind speed changing, which creates a horizontal spinning effect within a storm cell. This is then tipped vertical by rising air moving up through the thunderclouds.
The tornado’s signature funnel cloud is transparent and not visible at first, but it becomes more visible when water droplets from the storm’s moist air condense or when dust and debris are picked up.
Typically, a tornado can grow to be 660 feet wide and will move at 10 to 20 miles per hour, although larger and faster storms have been observed. Hail and intense winds of more than 200 mph can accompany tornadoes.
Tornadoes will typically occur in the late in the afternoon, but remember that they can happen anytime and anywhere.
Understanding the difference between tornado watches and tornado warnings is your first line of defense. A watch is issued when the conditions are favorable for tornadoes, while a warning is issued when a tornado has been reported by spotters or indicated by radar.
If there has been a warning for your area and you are in the path of the tornado, it is vital to take action to find safe shelter. Shelter options include:
- Underground options like a basement or storm shelter.
- The lowest part of your home, in an area that is away from outside walls, doors and windows. Interior closets and bathrooms can be ideal options.
- If you are outside, try to get to a sturdy building. Mobile homes and trailers are not a safe option.
- If on the road and no building access is available, do not get under an overpass or bridge. Instead, find a low, flat location and use your arms to protect your head and neck.
Make sure that you have stored flashlights, a battery-powered weather radio and extra batteries in your selected tornado shelter at home. Also, when you are taking shelter in your home, you can provide additional cover by using furniture items like couch cushions, mattresses or blankets to help keep your head and neck covered.
If you are driving during a tornado, NEVER attempt to outrun it! If you are unable to find a safe, sturdy building to take shelter in, exit your vehicle and lay flat on the ground, covering your head and neck.
Tornadoes leave a path of destruction and devastation in their wake. While meteorologists and weather services can provide some advanced warning to potential threats, tornadoes can still occur with little to no warning at all.
If your home or business has been damaged by a tornado, know that SERVPRO® of South Nashville is ready and waiting to jump into action and get cleanup and restoration of your property underway.