Severe Weather Prep Series Part 1: Tornado

No one likes to hear that tornado siren blasting, or the words "Hurricane Warning". Unfortunately, in the South, we have seen plenty of our fair share of both.

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Here in South Mississippi, it's a guarantee that one or both events will happen at some point during any given year.

In this 2 part series, I thought I would share with you some ways that you can prepare ahead of time and perhaps help with the days before it hits, during the storm, and tips on navigating the aftermath.

First, I want to discuss the powerful destructiveness of tornadoes.

"I don't think we are in Kansas anymore, Toto!" I just had to throw in a line from my favorite movie!

Tornado

A mobile, destructive vortex of violently rotating winds having the appearance of a funnel-shaped cloud and advancing beneath a large storm system.

Tornadoes can form within minutes, can be short lived or lasting for miles, and can be extremely unpredictable in nature. The devastation can be incredible and terrifying. 

But, you can prepare ahead of time!

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A Tornado Watch has been Issued:

(This means current conditions conditions are favorable for a tornado to form.)

Designate a safe area for protection.

This could be a closet, bathroom, or storm shelter. This should be a room with no windows, preferably with no outside walls as close to the center of the house as possible. In my house, this is a walk-in closet right in the middle of my house. My bathrooms are along outside walls and have windows, so they are not a good safe place.

 Go ahead and prepare your safe room in case a warning is issued. Once a warning sounds, there isn't a lot of time to gather what you may need.

A few supplies that we place there are: Heavy blanket, pillows, shoes for everyone in house (preferably tennis shoes or boots), socks in shoes, football helmets for kids (in case of flying debris protect their heads! Pots will work, as well), and flashlight with fresh batteries. I, also, grab any daily meds needed, put them in my purse and place it with the car keys in the closet.

I always keep an emergency first aid backpack with wipes, hand sanitizer, a small pack of tissues, some paper towels, band aids and gauze, a couple of trash bags, and antibiotic cream in that closet on a shelf. It's always packed and ready to go.

Crack open a window in the rooms where you are mostly staying.

This is so we can hear a tornado siren better as soon as it sounds.

Keep a close eye on the weather, local news, or the radio. 

Having a weather alert radio is an excellent idea and money well spent!

Go ahead and put your phone and other electronics on charge!

If power lines are knocked down, you will be thankful for that full battery. Don't forget to charge your kids electronic devices, as well.

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A Tornado Warning is issued:

(This means a tornado has either been sighted or the current radar depicts one for your immediate area.)

Have everyone immediately and calmly go to the safe place.

My husband and I are always last since I am turning up the TV volume (to hear in our safe area) and he will pull all supplies from the hallway into the closet.

Kids put on their helmets then socks and shoes if needed.

The blanket and pillows are there to cover you to protect from any debris or glass.

If you can still here the siren, the danger is still imminent!

Stay where you are. Do not attempt to capture that cool pic of the oncoming tornado. Your lives are way more important than a viral Facebook video!

Listen for the siren to stop or, if like me and you can't hear one close by, listen for the newscaster saying all clear in your area.

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After the Tornado has passed:

First and foremost,
calm anxious kids and check for any physical injuries. 

Check on your pets.

Most likely, they will frightened and confused.

Assess any damage first in the house.

Broken windows? Power outage? Roof damage?

Check the yard, driveway, and outside areas.

Any trees down? Road blocked? Power lines down? How's the car?

Check on neighbors, family, and friends. 

Video any and all damage.

Now, here's where your cell phone camera will come in handy. This will help immensely with your insurance claims.

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Extra Tips!

Here are a few more tips and reminders that you need to be prepared for.

Do not go around downed power lines, even if you have no electricity!

Instead, report the downed lines to your power company as soon as possible.

Don't be so quick to ride around town to see the damage.

Power crews, emergency personnel, and road workers are working overtime to help your community after the storm! Unnecessary sight seers are just hindering their progress.

Until you have thoroughly accessed the dangers, do not let your kids play in any rubble.

Rusty pieces of sharp metal or broken glass can hide in the grass or debris.

When starting clean up, wear heavy duty work gloves!

Something that few think about after a tornado are the dangers of uprooted and confused wild life. Wasps, hornets, and bees may have had disturbed nests and may be on the defensive. Be watchful!

Talking about wildlife, be sure to be vigilant with snakes, as well.

Fallen limbs or rubble are perfect places for them to be hiding. Another good reason to be wearing boots!

I bought a water and fireproof lock box years ago (best investment ever and very affordable!)

Every few months or so, I make sure our important papers...birth certificates, insurance, family contacts, favorite snap shots, small amount of cash...are kept in the lock box.

A lot of these tips can be utilized in the event of a hurricane, as well. Typically, if you are in the path or outlying areas of a hurricane, you may experience a few tornadoes from its spin off.
(As if a hurricane is not scary enough, Mother Nature!)

Part 2 of this series will discuss the various ways to prepare before, during, and after a hurricane moves through your area.

I hope these tips will help you prepare and bring a little ease of mind when severe weather strikes!

Do you have any helpful tips?
Let everyone know below in the comments, and as always feel free to share with others.

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