There’s No Place Like Home … Make Sure Yours is Safe
March 30, 2022
A tornado will not whisk you away to a magical land as seen in “The Wizard of Oz.” Tornadoes can be deadly and the more you understand this weather event, the more you’ll be able to protect your home and family.
Here are a few tornado safety tips from the National Weather Service Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA):
Learn the difference between a tornado watch and a warning. A tornado watch means that tornadoes are possible in and near the watch area. Make sure you’re prepared to act. A tornado warning means a tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. There is imminent danger to life and property.
Be Weather-Ready: Check the forecast regularly to see if you’re at risk for tornadoes. Listen to local news or a NOAA Weather Radio to stay informed about tornado watches and warnings. Check the Weather-Ready Nation for tips.
Sign Up for Notifications: Know how your community sends warnings. Some communities have outdoor sirens. Others depend on media and smart phones to alert residents of severe storms capable of producing tornadoes.
Create a Communications Plan: Have a family plan that includes an emergency meeting place and related information. If you live in a mobile home or home without a basement, identify a nearby safe building you can get too quickly, such as a church or family member’s home.
Pick a Safe Room in Your Home: The basement, storm cellar or an interior room on the lowest floor with no windows are your best options.
Practice Your Plan: Conduct a family severe thunderstorm drill regularly so everyone knows what to do if a tornado is approaching. Make sure all members of your family know to go to an emergency meeting place when tornado warnings are issued. Don’t forget pets if time allows.
Prepare Your Home: Consider having your safe room reinforced. You can find plans for reinforcing an interior room to provide better protection on the Federal Emergency Management Agency website (link to website).
Help Your Neighbor: Encourage your loved ones to prepare for the possibility of tornadoes. Take CPR training so you can help if someone is hurt.
After the storm:
| Summit County Sponsors Tornado Spotter Training
The Summit (Ohio) County Emergency Management Agency will host a “Skywarn Tornado Spotter Training” course on Tuesday, April 5, at 6 p.m. Conducted by the Cleveland National Weather Service, the two-hour, virtual training course focuses on identifying and reporting severe local storms. Upon completion, participants can become a “skywarn spotter” – supporting the NWS’ efforts to issue more timely and accurate storm warnings. Register by April 1 using this form. |
Stay Informed: Continue to listen to local news or a NOAA Weather Radio to stay updated about tornado watches and warnings. Multiple rounds of thunderstorms capable of producing tornadoes are possible during severe weather outbreaks.
Contact Your Family and Loved Ones: Let your family and close friends know that you’re OK so they can help spread the word. Text messages or social media are more reliable forms of communication than phone calls.
Assess the Damage: After the threat for tornadoes has ended, check to see if your property has been damaged. When walking through storm damage, wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, and sturdy shoes. Contact local authorities if you see power lines down. Stay out of damaged buildings. Be aware of insurance scammers if your property has experienced damage.
Help Your Neighbor: If you come across people who are injured and you are properly trained, provide first aid if needed until emergency response teams arrive.
Remember, acting quickly is key to staying safe and minimizing impacts.