So, the National Weather Service has declared a tornado watch. What does it mean and what should you do?
First, you should understand what a tornado actually is; a tornado is a column of air that rotates quickly and violently and extends from the cloud layer down to the ground. It may appear as a funnel cloud, but a visible funnel cloud is not always part of a tornado. Tornadoes are very dangerous weather conditions; the winds of a tornado may do as little damage as picking up and throwing debris and as much damage as leveling a house.
A tornado watch indicates the weather conditions are conducive to the formation of tornadoes. It does not mean a tornado has been spotted or that there will definitely be a tornado. It simply means everyone should be alert and should be ready to go to a safe location if a tornado forms.
In the event of a tornado watch, stay where you can watch local television or hear local or weather radio broadcasts. It is wise to have a battery-operated radio handy in case of power outages. Make sure you are close to a safe shelter, such as a basement or other underground room in case the situation becomes more serious. If you do not have a basement, the best place to stay in case of a tornado is an interior room with no windows. Also, since flying debris is a great hazard and accounts for many of the injuries in a tornado, bring heavy blankets or sleeping bags into your shelter to put over yourself. It is also useful to have a flashlight.
Sometimes a tornado watch is upgraded to a tornado warning. A tornado warning is an alert that a tornado or tornadoes have actually been seen in the area or that Doppler radar has identified a thunderstorm pattern highly likely to spawn a tornado. In the event of a tornado warning, you should seek safe shelter immediately.
Sometimes tornadoes occur unexpectedly and without a watch or warning, so it is important to know the signs of a tornado. Tornadoes are generally characterized by spinning dust and debris, an extreme calm or wind shift immediately after a strong rain or hail storm, and a loud and long-lasting rumbling sound, with longer duration than thunder. At night, small multiple flashes of green or blue-white light near ground level, not attached to a lightning bolt, may signify a thunderstorm; generally these are power lines snapping due to the high winds of the storm.
If you believe there is a tornado, go to your shelter. If you are outdoors, it is best to get inside a sturdy building if one is available. If there are no buildings nearby, find the lowest point on the ground, such as a ditch and lie down; if possible, stay far away from trees, vehicles and other items that may be thrown by the wind. If you are in a car, a truck, or a mobile home, it is best to get out; you are safer outdoors than in a car or a mobile home.
Wherever you are, remember to remain calm and follow the safety advice you have learned. Most likely, you will weather the tornado just fine.
