I am so afraid of tornadoes....?

Question

How do you keep your family safe when you know one is coming?

Answer 1

This is the time right now to plan what to do for a tornado and make sure you have a NOAA weather alert radio The radios can alert you when a tornado warning is issued at night while sleeping.

A tornado watch means that conditions are favorable for tornadoes to develop and you should pay close attention to the weather. A watch it typically issued with in 2-3 hours of the event.

When a tornado warning is issued that means doppler radar has detected rotation in a storm or trained spotters have spotted a rotating wall cloud, funnel cloud, or a tornado on the ground.

If a tornado warning is issued for your area, do not panic. Go to a place of safety. Go to the lowest floor of your house like the basement. Once in the basement get under a sturdy piece of furniture or go into a bathroom in the basement. If no basement is available go in to an interior room such as a closet. If that is not available go in to an bathroom without windows. Stay away from outside walls and windows. Cover your head to protect from flying debris. Never try to out run a tornado in a car, if cought in a car and can not take no place of safety, lay down in a ditch and cover your head. Do not take cover under a over pass. Do not stay in mobile homes as they do not offer protection and can be flown as easily as cars can.

For local weather info. From the National Weather Service.

http://www.nws.noaa.gov

Storm Prediction center (responsible for issuing severe thunderstorm and tornado watches)

http://www.spc.noaa.gov

Answer 2

You should go into the basement and away from all windows. It's sometimes a good idea to get under something that won't collapse (stairs is what we go under). We also get under blankets too so flying things won't cut us. There's been a lot of watches and warnings here but none have ever hit. I'm pretty glad about it too. If you hear the siren (if there even is one close by), get in your basement right away, and keep the news on when you're under warnings.

Answer 3

do not open your windows like someone below before mentioned! this only wastes time and does not protect your house from damage.

if you know a tornado is coming seek shelter on the lowest level of your house, if you have a basement, go there and seek shelter under a staircase (where the most support is) and cover your heads. if you do not have a basement go to the center most region of your house with no windows...preferably a bathroom. get in the bathtub if possible and you can even put something such as a mattress on top of you to protect you from debris. if you live in a trailer, leave the trailer and seek shelter at a sturdy building (friends house, even a mall or store) or a cellar. if you are driving and a tornado is approaching, do not go under an overpass! this creates a wind tunnel for the tornado and winds can be strongest there. seek shelter in a low lying area like a ditch or go to the nearest building. if you are prepared there is basically nothing to be afraid of! hopefully i helped.

Answer 4

During: Shelter in a basement, away from the west and south walls. Hiding under a heavy work-table or under the stairs will protect the family from crumbling walls, chimneys, and large airborne debris falling into the cellar OR in a small, windowless, first floor, interior room like a closet or bathroom. Cover yourself with a mattress or blanket. DO NOT open your windows. Put on sturdy shoes

After the Tornado Passes...  Watch out for fallen power lines and stay out of the damaged area. Listen to the radio for information and instructions. Use a flashlight to inspect your home for damage. Do not use candles at any time.  

Hope This Helps!

Answer 5

People tend to be afraid of things that they either do not completely understand or believe that it may cause harm to them, sometimes both. There are MANY people out there that are severely afraid of tornadoes, and that is perfectly understandable. What you need to do is educate yourself as well as your family about how tornadoes form and how to protect yourselves. Once you know what you are dealing with and how to protect yourself and your loved ones, then there will be nothing to worry about.

There is a bunch of info to share with you, too much to write out. The websites at the bottom will provide you with a plethora of information regarding tornadoes and safety.

*TORNADO INFO*

http://www.srh.noaa.gov/srh/jetstream/ts...

http://www.srh.noaa.gov/srh/jetstream/ts...

http://www.spc.noaa.gov/faq/tornado/

http://www.nssl.noaa.gov/faq/faq_tor.php

http://www.wunderground.com/tornadoFAQ.a...

http://www.usatoday.com/weather/tornado/...

http://library.thinkquest.org/03oct/0075...

http://www.hubbard.lib.oh.us/tornado/tor...

*TORNADO SAFETY*

http://www.tornadochaser.net/safety.html

http://www.srh.noaa.gov/oun/wxsafety/sev...

http://www.crh.noaa.gov/lmk/preparedness...

http://www.disastercenter.com/guide/torn...

http://www.srh.noaa.gov/fwd/wcm/safety_r...

http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/brochures/tor...

http://www.srh.noaa.gov/elp/swww/v5n1/to...

http://library.thinkquest.org/03oct/0075...

http://www.tornadoproject.com/safety/saf...

http://www.redcross.org/services/disaste...

http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/seve...

http://climate.ok.gov/tornadosafety/home...

Answer 6

honestly when we have tornadoes me and my family are usually outside watching the tornado or were watching tv. we dont really prepare lol but to prepare you should open up a window becaue that keeps you house safe so it wont tear up so much. also stay away from windows and go to the basement or under a table so nothing will fall on you head

Answer 7

keep them underground and as far away from a window