Tips for Keeping Your Family Safe During a Tornado | SERVPRO of North Kenosha County

4/30/2019 (Permalink)

Tips for Keeping Your Family Safe During a Tornado

Tips for Keeping Your Family Safe During a Tornado | SERVPRO of North Kenosha County - SERVPRO OF NORTH KENOSHA COUNTY Blog

Springtime brings balmy weather that can sometimes be unpredictable. So it’s always a good idea to be prepared for the chance of severe thunderstorms that lead to the perfect conditions for a tornado.

April and May are the months of spring that, traditionally, have the highest occurrences of tornadoes at 30% and 24%, respectively. This means we are currently right in the midst of tornado season throughout the United States.

Read on as we share some tips and information on tornadoes that can help keep your family prepared for the worst possible scenario.

The Right Conditions for a Tornado

Roughly 1,200 tornadoes occur in the United States every year, and they are a direct result of severe thunderstorms known as “supercells.”

A tornado comes into being when changes in wind speed and direction create a horizontal spinning effect within a storm cell. This is then tipped vertical by rising air moving up through the thunderclouds.

You will usually not see the tornado’s signature funnel cloud at first because it is transparent, but it becomes more visible when water droplets from the storm’s moist air condense or when dust and debris are picked up.

A typical tornado can grow to be 660 feet wide and will move at 10 to 20 miles per hour, although larger and faster tornadoes have been observed. Hail and intense winds of more than 200 mph can accompany tornadoes.

Typically, tornadoes occur in the spring and summertime during the late in the afternoon, but that isn’t the only time. So it is important to remember that they can occur anytime and anywhere.

What to Do in Tornado Weather

Make it a point to understand the difference between tornado watches and tornado warnings. Tornado watches are issued when the conditions are favorable for tornadoes, while tornado warnings are issued when a tornado has been reported by spotters or indicated by radar.

If a warning has been issued for your area, it is vital to take action to find safe shelter, especially if you are in the path of the tornado. Shelter options include:

• Underground options like a basement or storm shelter.
• The lowest part of your home, in an area that is away from outside walls, doors and windows. Interior closets and bathrooms can be ideal options.
• If you are outside, try to get to a sturdy building. Mobile homes and trailers are not a safe option.
• If on the road and no building access is available, do not get under an overpass or bridge. Instead, find a low, flat location and use your arms to protect your head and neck.

You should make sure that you have flashlights, a battery-powered weather radio and extra batteries in your selected tornado shelter at home. When you are taking shelter in your home, furniture items like couch cushions, mattresses or blankets can be used to protect your head and neck.

If you find yourself caught in a tornado out on the road, DO NOT try to outrun it.

Tornadoes can be devastating and life-threatening in the areas they touch down. While meteorologists and weather services can provide some advanced warning to potential threats, tornadoes can still occur with little to no warning at all.

If your home or business has been damaged by a tornado, know that SERVPRO of North Kenosha County is ready and waiting to jump into action and get cleanup and restoration of your property underway.