NWS CR >> WFO Louisville >> Preparedness >> Tornadoes: Nature's Most
Violent Storms
How to Receive Information
There are several methods of receiving
severe weather information. NOAA weather Radio
operated commercial-free by the National Weather Service, provides
continuous weather information 24 hours a day. When severe weather
threatens, regular programming is interrupted to provide information
of threatening weather in the local area. Some weather radios (and
these are recommended) can be automatically activated by the local
NWS office before severe weather information is broadcast.
In addition, a cable television service, called the Weather Channel,
and your local television and radio stations are excellent sources
of severe weather information |
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An excellent way to receive the latest NWS warnings and watches
(even before the local media) is by listening to NOAA Weather Radio. |
Information is also available on local television and radio
stations, in addition to cable outlets. |
Tornado Safety
It is important to have a plan of
action in the event a tornado threatens your family, and to rehearse
that plan frequently. Such a plan should include what you and your
family should do when at home, work, school, or outdoors. the time
spent planning now could determine whether or not you survive a
tornado.
Know the county or parish in which you live. Severe weather warnings
are issued for counties/parishes, or for portions of counties and
parishes (I.e. southern Fayette county). By keeping a highway
roadmap nearby, you can follow storm movements and better determine
if you are threatened.
Have a NOAA Weather Radio handy at all times. Make sure your model
has an alarm tone which will be activated when warnings or watches
are issued for your area. If you are planning to be outdoors for an
extended period of time, keep up with the latest weather information
from your local National Weather Service office. |
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In a home or a building, move to a
pre-designated shelter, preferably the basement or the lowest floor
of your home. Don't worry about opening your windows first, just get
to the basement, and get under a sturdy piece of furniture or
workbench. Grab blankets to cover yourself with, which will protect
you from flying debris. (NOAA/NWS)
If an underground shelter is not available, move to an interior room
or hallway on the lowest floor and crouch down close to the floor.
Again, grab extra blankets to protect yourself from flying debris.
Stay away from windows.
If caught outdoors, lie flat in a nearby ditch or depression, and
cover your head with your hands and arms. However, KEEP AN EYE on
the water levels in the ditch or depression, as those are the first
things that fill up with the excess rainfall. |
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| This is an underground storm shelter in
which an elderly couple sought refuge from a tornado in Ratliff
City, Oklahoma. The demolished home is visible in the background.
However, notice the kitchen table still standing. (Bill Bunting, NWS) |
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Mobile homes, even if tied down, offer little protection from
tornadoes and should be abandoned immediately for a reinforced
shelter or storm cellar, of if none are available, seek a nearby
ditch or depression. (Jim Campbell, NWS) |
Get out of automobiles. Tornadoes can be quite unpredictable, and
can move much faster than your car. Never try to outrun a tornado!
If you are in your vehicle and see a tornado, leave it immediately.
Get inside a sturdy shelter or storm cellar, or if none available,
seek a nearby ditch or depression. (Gene Rhoden) |
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Tornado damage to a poorly anchored
home. (Jim Campbell, NWS) Note that the home itself has survived the
strong winds relatively intact. However, because of poor anchoring
of the walls to the foundation, the house was literally swept off
its foundation, and toppled upside down. |
| Many people are involved in the effort to provide advance warning
before a tornado strikes. Sophisticated technological tools, NWS
forecasters, the media, and spotter and public safety groups have
developed a system to provide information to alert YOU to dangerous
weather conditions. In order for the system to work though, YOU
must take the time to understand severe weather safety rules, learn
to identify environmental clues to approaching danger, and plan in advance
what actions you will take if a warning is issued for your area or if
threatening weather is sighted. The decision to do
this may be the most important one you will ever make!
'Tornadoes: Nature's Most Violent Storms' was developed by the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)/National Weather
Service (NWS) in cooperation with the American Red Cross and the Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). It is designed to assist in
heightening public awareness and understanding the dangers associated with
tornadoes. The package provides an introduction to tornadoes and their
impact, discusses tornado development and occurrence, and describes safety
information for homes, schools, places of work, and outdoors. In addition,
basic environmental clues are presented.
Individual use of the pictures within these presentation must have prior
approval from the credited source.
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