\n<\/p>\n
Tornadoes Stay Informed<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n A large part of staying safe during A tornado warning, however, is more As soon as you hear the news that your If you are driving or are outside and While it might be tempting to go Having an emergency kit at the ready We\u2019ve also compiled an in-depth list Being prepared for the storm may help Once the Offering help and support to your When \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n To learn
\nmight not be as common in New York as they are in other areas of the United
\nStates, but it is important to be prepared and know how to react to stay safe.
\nKeep reading for 5 tornado safety tips to keep in mind this <\/span>summer<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
\nany type of severe weather is staying informed. Ensure you are following
\ncredible sources, like the <\/span>National Weather Service
\n(NWS)<\/span><\/a> department assigned to your local area, for accurate and
\nup to date information. Knowing the difference between a <\/span>tornado
\nwatch and warning<\/span><\/a> is also important. According to the NWS, a tornado watch
\nindicates weather conditions that could produce a tornado and are designed to
\ngive you enough warning to prepare for the potential of a catastrophic event.
\nDuring a watch, you should keep a close eye on the weather service you are
\nfollowing for updates as conditions can rapidly change.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
\nserious. When a tornado warning is issued, the NWS advises that either a
\ntornado has been spotted by a credible source, or a developing tornado is being
\nwatched on a doppler radar. Warnings are typically only active for a short
\nperiod of time (about an hour) in a smaller area than a watch would be. If you
\nare in a warning area, you should take action and seek shelter
\nimmediately.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
Seek Shelter<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n
\narea may be affected by a tornado you should start planning to seek shelter.
\nGather anyone in your area, including your pets, and head to the safest
\nlocation available. If you are in a tornado warning zone, this should be done
\nimmediately and might look a little different than if you were in a watch and
\nhad more time to prepare. Finding the lowest level of the building you are in,
\nor a small interior room without windows like a closet, bathroom, or hallway
\nwill be safest. The NWS advises that if you are in a mobile home, you should
\ntry to seek shelter in a stronger building.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
\nunable to find shelter, the NWS encourages you to find the lowest spot possible
\non the ground. Think deep ditches or underground culverts and bring an item
\nlike a jacket to cover your head for protection. Once you find an area you feel
\nis as safe as possible, lie flat and use your hands and the item you brought to
\nprotect your head. The key takeaways from the National Weather Service\u2019s
\nTornado Safety Rules are to seek shelter, stay away from windows, doors, and
\nexterior walls, and to protect your head at all costs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
Stay Inside<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n
\noutside and see what the weather is doing, it is best to stay inside. Your
\nsafety should be a top priority during <\/span>extreme
\nweather<\/span><\/a> warnings. Consider bringing a battery powered radio with
\nyou to stay informed of weather updates. Experts advise against trying to
\noutrun tornadoes in your vehicle, as the tornado may move in your direction
\nfaster than you can travel. In the event that a tornado is headed your way,
\nbeing in a vehicle is dangerous as they can easily be swept up in the wake of
\nthe tornado and thrown.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
Keep an Emergency Kit<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n
\nis never a bad idea because we can\u2019t always predict when to expect severe
\nweather with enough advanced notice to prepare for it. The <\/span>National Weather Service<\/span><\/a>
\ncompiled an in-depth list of items to consider including:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n
\nfamily member, including pets.<\/span><\/li>\n
\nleast 3 days\u2019 worth.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
\nof items to consider keeping in your <\/span>car
\nsafety kit<\/span><\/a> like; a first aid kit, tire gauge, flashlight, jumper
\ncables, emergency flares, and more! Check it out <\/span>here<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
\nto ease some stress you may be experiencing when extreme weather is headed your
\nway, and having an emergency kit will be helpful if you are impacted.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
After the Storm: Use Caution<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n
\nstorm is over and weather warnings have been lifted, it may be\u00a0<\/span>tempting to head out to see the
\neffects that a tornado had on not only your home, but also your community.
\nHowever, the safest thing to do is to stay in your home, if it is stable and
\nsafe, and wait for further instruction from town, county, and\/or government
\nofficials. When you do head out, experts advise assuming that any utility lines
\nthat are down are live power lines and to stay away from them. Power lines are
\nvery dangerous and coming into contact with them or bodies of water they touch
\ncould seriously injure you.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
\ncommunity is invaluable after tragedy strikes. If you are able, consider
\nvolunteering to help clean up debris or donating time or resources to
\norganizations that help communities in times of disaster. Contributing in any
\nway you can will mean so much to those who are affected by a natural
\ndisaster.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
\nsevere weather is approaching, it can be a <\/span>stressful<\/span><\/a> and
\noverwhelming feeling. By being prepared and following the tips above, you will
\nensure you are as safe as possible both during and after a tornado.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
\nmore about the difference between a tornado watch and warning, click the button
\nbelow.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n