Tornadoes
If threatening weather approaches:
- In a home or building, move to a pre-designated shelter, such as a basement
- If an underground shelter is not available, move to an interior room or hallway on the lowest floor and get under a sturdy piece of furniture
- Stay away from windows
- Get out of automobiles
- Do not try to outrun a tornado in your car; instead, leave it immediately
- If caught outside or in a vehicle, lie flat in a nearby ditch or depression
- Mobile homes, even if tied down, offer little protection from tornadoes and should be abandoned
Tornado Safety in Schools
- Develop a severe weather action plan and have frequent drills
- Each school should be inspected and tornado shelter areas designated by a registered engineer or architect. Basements offer the best protection. Schools without basements should use interior rooms and hallways on the lowest floor away from windows.
- Those responsible for activating the plan should monitor weather information from NOAA weather radio and local radio/television
- if the school's alarm system relies on electricity, have a compressed air horn or megaphone to activate the alarm in case of power failure
- Make special provisions for disabled students and those in portable classrooms
- Make sure someone knows how to turn off electricity and gas in the event the school is damaged
- Keep children at school beyond regular hours if threatening weather is expected. Children are safer at school than in a bus or car. Students should not be sent home early if severe weather is approaching.
- Lunches or assemblies in large rooms should be delayed if severe weather is anticipated. Gymnasiums, cafeterias and auditoriums offer no protection from tornado-strength winds
- Move students quickly into interior rooms or hallways on the lowest floor. Have them assume the tornado protection position.