I awoke this morning to the news of another deadly tornado. This one was in Oklahoma and claimed 8 lives and destroyed numerous buildings. I wondered,"How many tornadoes hit in the U.S. every year?" Answer: Over 1,200.
Then I wondered, "Which states get hit the most by tornadoes?" Answer: The Tornado Alley states of Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and South Dakota.
How about, "Where have the most deadly tornadoes hit?" Answer: Mississippi, Missouri, Wisconsin, Indiana, Georgia, Oklahoma, Texas, Michigan, Kansas, Illinois, Iowa, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Arkansas, and Maryland.
The deadliest tornado of all time killed 689 people along a 219 mile long track in 1925.
So, "Is there any state in the U.S. that is completely safe from tornadoes?" Answer: No. Sorry, every US state including Hawaii has experienced tornadoes. So, no matter which state you live in, its important to know what to do during a tornado.
As I further researched Tornadoes, I saw a video clip of two storm chasers in Iowa taking a direct hit from a tornado while in their car last year (this same tornado killed 4 in a boy scout camp). These guys stayed in their car and filmed the whole event. I thought, "Aren't you suppose to get out of the car and lie flat in a ditch?"
It's been a while since I last read about what to do in a tornado, so I decided it was time for review. Hopefully you will find my tornado response review helpful.
Here is what the US Government (FEMA) tells us to do:
If you are in "a structure (e.g. residence, small building, school, nursing home, hospital, factory, shopping center, high-rise building) - Go to a pre-designated shelter area such as a safe room, basement, storm cellar, or the lowest building level. If there is no basement, go to the center of an interior room on the lowest level (closet, interior hallway) away from corners, windows, doors, and outside walls. Put as many walls as possible between you and the outside. Get under a sturdy table and use your arms to protect your head and neck. Do not open windows."
OK, so forget the old advice to open windows "so your house doesn't explode."
If you are in "a vehicle, trailer, or mobile home - Get out immediately and go to the lowest floor of a sturdy, nearby building or a storm shelter. Mobile homes, even if tied down, offer little protection from tornadoes.
No mention of getting out to "lie down in a ditch." The guys on the video I saw were out of luck because there were no nearby buildings.
If you are "outside with no shelter - Lie flat in a nearby ditch or depression and cover your head with your hands. Be aware of the potential for flooding.
Do not get under an overpass or bridge. You are safer in a low, flat location.
Never try to outrun a tornado in urban or congested areas in a car or truck. Instead, leave the vehicle immediately for safe shelter.
Watch out for flying debris. Flying debris from tornadoes causes most fatalities and injuries."
OK, so there is my "lie in a ditch" advice. But I'm still not clear on if you are out in the open with no chance to get to a building, do you stay inside the car or jump out and lie in a ditch? ...Ah, here we go. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control) has the answer:
"On the Road
The least desirable place to be during a tornado is in a motor vehicle. Cars, buses, and trucks are easily tossed by tornado winds.
DO NOT TRY TO OUTRUN A TORNADO IN YOUR CAR. If you see a tornado, stop your vehicle and get out. Do not get under your vehicle. Follow the directions for seeking shelter outdoors (see next section).
Outdoors
If you are caught outside during a tornado and there is no adequate shelter immediately available--
- Avoid areas with many trees.
- Avoid vehicles.
- Lie down flat in a gully, ditch, or low spot on the ground.
- Protect your head with an object or with your arms."
Got it! Bottom line is don't stay in the car. Get to a sturdy building (never go under an overpass for protection) or if this is not possible, do the "lie in a ditch" thing.
It's hard to remember exactly what to do in every disaster situation, but reading official recommendations periodically, talking with your family about them, and practicing things like where you would go and what you would do at home to protect yourself in case of a tornado are steps that take little effort but could help you and your family survive.
Here are some good links for further information and preparation.
Selected Information from Tornadoes - Are You Ready?: FEMA
During a Tornado - CDC (this had some good detailed information I did not find elsewhere)
Tornado Terms
Before a Tornado
During a Tornado
After a Tornado
If you have survived a tornado (it's one disaster not on my personal list) please email me your secure survivor story so we can share it with our readers: [email protected]. If you have read some other good tornado advice, please comment below.
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