What is a tornado? Do you know the warning signs and what to do if you encounter one? Learn the answers to these questions and more...
WHAT IS A TORNADO?
A tornado is a violently rotating column of air, which extends from a thunderstorm to the ground. The most powerful tornadoes are capable of producing speeds greater than 250MPH. Damage in the path of a tornado can spread more than one mile wide and 50 miles long.
WHAT CAUSES TORNADOES?
Tornadoes form as winds change direction during a storm. Before thunderstorms, for example, it's common for winds to change direction and speed, which creates a spinning effect in the lower atmosphere. As warm air rises within the thunderstorm, updrafts tilt and begin to rotate vertically, as they are met by colder streams of air.
WHICH STATES ARE MOST LIKELY TO HAVE A TORNADO?
Though all states in the U.S. are susceptible to tornadoes, *the most tornadoes each year occur in Texas, Oklahoma, Florida, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, South Dakota and Louisiana. The midwest is often referred to as the "tornado belt," because of the great number of tornadoes occuring this area.
TORNADO MYTHS
CONTRARY to what you may have heard, highway overpasses are not safe places to shelter yourself from an oncoming tornado. By staying under an overpass, you are putting yourself above ground level during a tornado, which means you're putting yourself directly in the tornado's path.
YOU WILL NOT be safer during a tornado if you open your windows. A long told myth has suggested that those inside a house or car should open windows to help equalize pressure. Not true. In reality, you could cause more damage than necessary. Even with windows completely closed, houses and buildings have enough openings to vent pressure. Opening windows will do nothing more than allow debris traveling at a high rate of speed to enter your home or car more easily.
HEADING to the southwest corner of a building or basement during a tornado is the safest place to go. Not necessarily true. If a tornado is approaching from the southwest, then you'll be standing in the most dangerous area. As a general rule, if you're in a basement, you're relatively safe from harm. Crouching under a stairwell, heavy table or similar object will give you the utmost protection in basements. If you know which direction the tornado is coming from, do not stand in that corner of the basement. For example, if a tornado is approaching from the southwest, position yourself on the northwest portion of the basement.
TORNADO FACTS
TORNADOES can occur at any time of the year.
PEAK tornado season is between March-May in southern states, and during warm summer months in the midwestern U.S.
Tornadoes most often occur between 3-9p.m.
TORNADOES can strike without warning.
THUNDERSTORMS almost always accompany a tornado.
WARNING SIGNS
Not all tornadoes produce warning signs. However, there are some common elements to the formation of tornadoes. Watch for warning signs like:
DARK skies that may take on a greenish or black tint.
HAIL that is larger than normal or dropping with greater force.
LOUD roaring sounds, which may appear to sound like a train.
CALM conditions and hazy sky before a thunderstorm's arrival or immediately following.
FORMATION of wall clouds.
DEBRIS dropping or flying through the sky.
FUNNEL shaped clouds.
DEBRIS being carried upward, such as leaves, garbage cans, and etc.
FAST moving clouds.
HOW TO STAY SAFE
STAY INFORMED of weather conditions. Pay particular attention to thunderstorm warnings and watches. You can monitor local weather stations or tune into the National Weather Service via a weather radio. The National Weather Service issues a variety of watches and warnings, including:
TORNADO WATCH: This means tornadoes could be in your area or have been reported unofficially.
TORNADO WARNING: A tornado warning is issued when a tornado has been sighted in person or by weather radar.
CARRY a flashlight. Storms commonly cut power.
STAY AWAY from windows during tornado watches and warnings.
TURN OFF gas stoves and heaters.
MOVE to a safe area of the house or building. In homes, move to a basement or lowest level. Crouch under heavy objects like tables or staircases. In apartments, single level homes and buildings, move to closets or bathrooms. Because tubs and toilets are anchored into the ground, these are two of the safest areas. If traveling by vehicle, exit your car and lay in a low lying ditch or culvert. If in a high rise building, move to a stairwell area and crouch low. If in a mobile home, move to a disaster designated site, if time allows. If not, leave the home and crouch in ditch or culvert area.
COVER YOURSELF. If nothing is available to crouch under, bury your head in your lap and cover it with your arms. This will keep your sheltered from flying debris.
