Preparing for a possible tornado often means taking advantage of early warning signs. Whenever a strong weather front, usually a low pressure system, begins to move towards an area of unstable warm air, local meteorologists will often issue a 'tornado watch'. This means that the conditions in the atmosphere are right for tornado formation once the front approaches. In practice, however, a tornado watch covers a very broad geographical area and many residents of tornado-prone areas have learned to be cautious but not panic-stricken. Most watches come and go without incident, or the storm may strike miles away.
For many residents of tornado-prone areas, the first defense is information. Local broadcast meteorologists may show a current radar reading of the region and point out the speed and direction of potential supercells. Veteran residents can often predict where and when these storms may strike, based on previous experience. Local meteorologists may also provide their own opinions after examining all the weather information available. Once you have a general idea of what to expect in your specific area, you can prepare accordingly.
Preparing for a possible tornado is generally a question of taking inventory. Do you have enough non-perishable foods, bottled water, milk and bread to survive for a few days? Some of these items may not seem essential, but occasionally local grocery stores will not be able to get regular deliveries following a major tornado. City water supplies may become contaminated by runoff, so it pays to have bottled water on hand for emergencies. Check your battery-powered flashlights and radios to make sure they have enough power. There's no need to clean out the local grocery and hardware stores every time a tornado watch is issued, but certain emergency supplies like water and extra batteries can be stockpiled in your home from time to time.
Another inventory to take before a potential tornado is more personal. Once you have an idea of where and when a storm system may arrive, you'll want to know where your family members will be at the time. Will they be able to come home before the storm hits or will they have to seek shelter elsewhere? Will you need to pick up your children early from school? Once you know where your family will be, it pays to clear out an area in your home for shelter. Find an interior room on the lowest floor, generally far from windows and outside doors. A walk-in closet is good, but a bathroom may be better because of the reinforced walls. Children might want to have a bicycle or football helmet ready and adults may want to be ready to move a mattress into the shelter for extra protection.
If you're satisfied that you have enough supplies to last for a few days and your family members have all been accounted for, the rest is a waiting game. Many local television stations have a policy to remain on the air as long as a tornado warning is still active anywhere in their coverage area. This could mean hours of watching storms develop 50 miles away which may have little bearing on your area. But it may also mean that you will be able to see a potentially dangerous storm before it reaches your specific county. Veteran residents often learn patterns of storm behavior- a storm in Blake county usually moves north, but a tornado in Culley county almost always moves into Drake county within twenty minutes. If you live in Drake county, you'll have a better idea of what to expect. Once the weatherman mentions Blake or Culley county, you should already have a plan in mind. If a tornado warning is issued for Drake county, you'll only have minutes to seek shelter.
It's not always necessary to move directly into a cramped shelter area during a storm event, but you'll want to make sure you do indeed have that option. If a tornado warning is issued for your specific county, turn up the volume on your television or bring a battery-powered radio with you to the shelter area. The tornado itself may not touch down in your area, but at least you'll be protected from flying debris if it does. Remain in the shelter until you have definite news that the tornado has moved to another county or the meteorologist has issued an 'all clear'.
One danger of a tornadic storm system is large hail, so vehicles need to be moved to a solid garage or carport for protection. Hail can also be an early warning signal for an approaching supercell, so if you encounter it during your preparations take shelter immediately. Once lightning and rain have moved into the area, your exterior preparation time is over. There's no need to be especially heroic over material things.
Some preparations for tornadoes can be done throughout the year as time permits. Check your gutters and other attachments. If they're loose now, a tornado may shear them off completely. Make sure your vehicles have somewhere to go during severe weather- keep the garage or carport clear enough to park a car. Consider creating a more organized storm shelter in a basement room, or invest in a professionally-installed underground storm shelter. These units may have comfortable seating for an entire family, along with electrical outlets for televisions or radios and a place to store emergency supplies. Preparing for a tornado doesn't have to mean a total disruption of normal life, but those who live in tornado-prone areas need to understand the potential for a real disaster.
