Familiarize yourself with these terms that will help you identify tornado risks:
Tornado Watch – There is a chance of tornadoes. Be alert in case of approaching storms. Observe the sky and listen to reports in a NOAA Weather Radio or a commercial radio or television station to keep informed.
Tornado warning – A tornado has been seen or indicated by the weather radar. Seek shelter immediately.
Prepare a Safe Room
Know the risks and have a safe place to go to – When bad weather threats, people and families need protection about dangerous extreme wind forces. People and communities located in high tornado and hurricane risk areas have begun considering the need and benefits of residential and communitarian shelters.
THE MYSTERY OF THE PLUCKED HENS
There are many stories about strange facts or miracles during a tornado. Everyone knows the story of the Wizard of Oz, where the main character is taken to a magical world. The story was probably born from the Great Bend tornado, Kansas 1915. It is about a tornado said to kill 1,000 sheep, that four horses survived after being thrown to a distant farm half a mile away, that a check sent on the mail landed in Palmyra, Nebraska, 500 km away (that was really “air mail”), trains moved from their tracks, etc.
Bu the story that gave more thought was the plucked hen. Several hens were found alive, but plucked after being sucked in by a tornado. This fact was repeated in other tornadoes with other birds, which led the “experts” to seek an urgent explanation. Many of them performed cruel experiments in which the subject the poor birds to rotating movements that simulated a tornado, but the most frequent result was a fowl puree. It was though that the electrostatic force was able to tear off or dissolve the feathers and they all continued experimenting without getting a happy result. Nowadays the fact is explained as a defensive reaction of the terrorized birds, which allows them to release their feathers to escape from their predators, which could also explain why foxes are able to pluck their prey more easily.
Tornadoes
You and your family can be better protected if they know what each person needs to do when a tornado approaches and when listening to warning sirens. The strong winds and objects lifted by drafts represent the largest dangers during the powerful whirlwinds. But that’s not all. When the tornadoes have passes, rubble also hides a series of risks. There is nothing that can be done to avoid this type of natural phenomenon but there are certain preventive measures that can be taken. This book offers information to help you detect tornadoes, prepare and decrease risks not only during, but also after the passing of one of these colossal whirlwinds.
What you should know
• Preparation during and after a tornado
• After a tornado
How to prepare for a tornado
Important measures
• Develop a family emergency plan. Sketch a layout of your home and indicate the best place to take shelter.
• Indicate an alternative emergency exit and locations of the stairs.
• Indicate the location of the first aid kit and extinguishers.
• Indicate the location of the main electrical switches and the gas main to shut them down if there is time.
• Make sure everyone knows how to use the extinguishers and when it is necessary to shut off the gas, electricity and water.
• Make sure your children know what tornado is, what the sirens mean, what county they belong and how to protect themselves (at home as well as at school).
Special measures for people with some type of handicap:
• Write down their limitations, needs and medications. Place the list in your wallet or purse.
• Look for a person (spouse, roommate, friend, neighbor, relative, or coworker) to help them in case of an emergency. Give them the list and, if you think it’s appropriate, a key to their, or tell them where a copy can be found in case of an emergency.
• Keep informed about the weather condition with a system you can use (for those who are deaf, for example, subtitles in some television channel offer a good alternative).
Practice your plan
Perform drills and make questions to ensure your family remembers information about what to do in case of an emergency, especially main risks and best shelters.
Write down important information
At the end of this document you will find a form to write down important names and numbers.
Write a priority list in case of emergency that includes:
• Telephone numbers (police, fire department, medics, paramedics and medical centers, power and gas company).
• Names, addresses and phone numbers of your insurance, including policy number and type.
• Names and phone numbers of neighbors, and if applicable, the house owner.
• Year, make, ID number and license plate of your car.
• Bank or financial information, account numbers and types.
• Radio (or television) stations to listen to emergency information.
• Medical information (allergies, medicines you must take, a summary of your medical history).
How to store important documents in a safe place
These are some of the important documents that you should store in a fire and waterproof safe:
• Birth certificates.
• Property certificates (house, cars, boats).
• Social Security Cards
• Insurance policies
• Wills
Make an inventory of the home’s contents such as electrical appliances (along with their serial numbers, if any). It is very practical to have a photograph of every room and valuable items such as paintings, jewelry and collectibles.
First Aid Kit
Store your first aid kit in a toolbox or fishing box for carrying ease and water protection. Check that the content is updated and replaced expired items constantly.
Medication
• Wound disinfectant
• Antibiotic ointment
• Individually packaged alcohol washcloths
• Aspirin tablets
• Prescription and common use medication (check expiration date)
• Diarrhea medication
• Eye drops
NOTE: medical information and most medication may be stored in a refrigerator since it also offers excellent fire protection.
Bandages
• Bandages and gauze in different sizes
• Cotton
• Tapes
Other items
• First aid manual
• Scissors
• Tongs
• Thermometer
• Soap bar
• Paper tissues
• Sun protection lotion or ointment
• Paper cups
• Pocket knife
• Plastic bags
• Thread and needle
• Sanitary pads
