Fact Sheet - Tornadoes

At a glance..

When a tornado is coming, you have very little time to make life-or-death decisions. Advance planning and quick response are the keys to surviving a tornado.

The details..

"Tornadoes: Preparing for the Storm" is an informative guide that equips readers with life-saving knowledge on surviving one of nature's most destructive forces. The book covers everything from understanding what a tornado is to identifying safe places in your home or school. With this guide, you'll be better prepared should disaster strike.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) offers practical advice on developing a plan for yourself and your family at home, work or school. You'll learn about constructing "Safe Rooms", conducting frequent drills each season as well as keeping highway maps nearby so you can track storm movements.

In addition to these tips, FEMA also advises having NOAA Weather Radio with battery backup handy so you can receive watches and warnings while listening to radio or television broadcasts. It's important not only listen but watch out too! Look out for dark skies often greenish in color; large hail; wall clouds; loud roars similar to freight trains - all potential warning signs of approaching storms.

If caught outside during such weather conditions it's best advised lying flat in nearby ditches/ depressions covering heads with hands while being aware of potential flooding caused by flying debris which causes most fatalities/injuries.