05/26/2024
πͺοΈ Tips for Tornado Preparedness
- KNOW WHERE YOU ARE AT: This should go without saying but there are some people who don't know how to locate themselves on a map, familiarize yourself of your surrounding area before the arrival of impending severe weather.
- KNOW WHERE TO GO: A basement, cellar, or storm shelter are ideal forms of shelter. If none of these are an option, go to the lowest level of your home, put as many walls between you and the outside that you can - away from doors and windows like an interior closet or bathroom. Get underneath a mattress or a sturdy piece of furniture if you can.
- Trailers, RVs, Campers, Double Wide Homes: EVACUATE. Make plans to leave. DO NOT WAIT until the tornado is upon you to act. Make plans to go to a family member's or neighbor's home. If you run out of options, a hotel room would be safer than a mobile home or RV. If the storm system is nocturnal, make plans to be in your safe spot prior. Some churches and hospitals are open for shelter. Call these locations ahead of storm arrival to make sure it is okay.
- IN CASE YOU HAVE TO EVACUATE: Please ensure there is adequate gasoline in your car. You may not have the time to stop for gas if the storm is closing in.
- Have multiple ways to get warnings. Your cellphone, a weather radio, television with your local weather coverage, and/or YouTube streamers. Do not rely on tornado sirens. Those are to warn people who are outdoors.
- Go over your family emergency plan before arrival of severe storms. Instruct your family to familiarize themselves with where to go during a tornado. If you are at work, review your company safety plan for tornadoes.
- READY YOUR CHILDREN: Have your children put on a helmet if they have one. Secure infant children into a car seat. Write your contact information on the car seat or on the child's arm with a makeshift paper bracelet. Attach an Apple AirTag or other Bluetooth location device on your child if you have one. It would not be a bad idea to let them bring a toy or book (IF THERE IS TIME) to distract their mind if they are anxious or scared.
- READY YOUR PETS: Secure dogs, cats, and any other pets you have. They go where you go. Animals should be leashed or in a kennel or carrier with identification tags on their collars. Attach an Apple AirTag or other Bluetooth location device onto your pet's collar if you have one. If you have a flighty animal, prepare them before the storm arrives. Nervous or flighty animals can be sedated with medication or Valerian Root.
- AVOID OLD WIVES TALES: Do not shelter under an overpass or waste time opening your windows.
- Wear good shoes. If the worst case scenario happens, you might have to walk through debris.
- Prepare an emergency kit prior to the arrival of tornadic storms. Here are some suggestions:
βοΈ Identification cards / driver's license
βοΈ Insurance cards - health, house and car.
βοΈAny required medication
βοΈ A pillow and a blanket (to protect yourself from debris)
βοΈ Important documents that are difficult to replace
βοΈA light source such as a flashlight or candle
βοΈBottled water
βοΈ Food or snacks
βοΈA weather radio
βοΈA portable chargeable phone charger
βοΈExtra batteries
βοΈA whistle to alert others if you are trapped