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TORNADO
FACTS: |
With winds of
up to 200 MPH, the tornado is one of the most savage storms on
earth. It is a narrow, violently rotating column of air
extending from the base of a thunderstorm and touching the
ground. All thunderstorms are capable of producing tornadoes. The funnel clouds are most likely to appear when the
following conditions are present: unseasonably warm and humid
air near the ground, cold air above it and strong winds above the cold
layer. The warm air ascends, mixing with the cold, and a
spinning action results.
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TORNADO
STATISTICS |
Peak storm
activity is during April, May and June, although they may occur in any
month. Tornadoes are most likely to form from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00
p.m.
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WATCHES
AND WARNINGS |
A tornado
watch is issued by the National Weather Service when conditions are
favorable for tornado formation. People can continue normal
activities during a watch, but should be aware that there is a
possibility of tornadoes or severe thunderstorms and prepare to take
cover.
A tornado
warning means a tornado has been reported or detected by radar.
The warning will indicate the last known location of the tornado, and,
if possible, its speed and direction of movement. Residents
under a tornado warning should take cover immediately. Anyone
seeing or hearing a tornado should also take cover and stay there
until the storm is over.
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WHAT
TO DO? |
The National
Weather Service has revised its advice about going to the southwest
corner of your basement and about opening a window to equalize
pressure. Investigations of tornado damage indicate the
southwest side of a building is where the strongest winds usually hit
and the side from which debris falls into the basement.
The weather
service also suggests keeping all windows closed. It is the
strong winds rather than rapid pressure changes that result in
damage. Additionally, with a window open there is a 100% chance
of rain coming in, which could cause water damage.
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| OTHER
SAFETY MEASURES INCLUDE: |
HOMES:
Get away from windows, doors and outside walls. Flying and
falling debris is the number one cause of death. Go to the
basement; in many homes a stairwell makes a good shelter area.
If there is no basement, go to the center of the house on the lowest
floor. Get into a closet, interior room or under heavy
furniture. Cover your head with blankets or pillows. You
should take a flashlight and a battery-operated radio and tune into a
station broadcasting weather information.
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SCHOOLS,
OFFICES OR OTHER PUBLIC BUILDINGS: Move quickly to the
designated shelter, normally an interior area on the lowest
level. Keep away from outside walls, doors and windows.
Stay out of large rooms, such as auditoriums or gymnasiums. Do
not go to parked vehicles.
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OUTSIDE:
Move immediately to the nearest shelter. If none is available,
lie down in the nearest ditch or depression away from trees and power
lines. Watch for flash flooding and try to protect yourself from
hail.
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VEHICLES:
Never assume you can outrun a tornado, especially in populated
areas. Leave the vehicle immediately for the nearest shelter or
lie flat, face down, in a ditch.
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MOBILE HOMES:
Abandon immediately. If there is no reinforced building or
underground shelter nearby, take cover in a ditch or depression.
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