Before

• Conduct tornado drills each tornado season.
• Designate an area in the home as a shelter, and practice having everyone in the family go there in response to a tornado threat.
• Discuss with family members the difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning. Contact your local emergency management office or American Red Cross chapter for more information on tornadoes.

Have disaster supplies on hand, including the following:

ü Flashlight and extra batteries

ü Portable, battery-operated radio and extra

ü batteries

ü First aid kit and manual

ü Emergency food and water

ü Nonelectric can opener

ü Essential medicines

ü Cash and credit cards

ü Sturdy shoes

ü Cellular phone (if you have one)

• If family members are separated during a tornado (you might be at work and children might be at school), have a plan for getting back together.
• Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to serve as the “family contact.” After a disaster, it’s often easier to call long distance. Make sure everyone in the family knows the name, address, and phone number of the contact person. Have a backup “family contact” in case the first one is not available.

During

At home:

· Go at once to the basement, storm cellar, or the lowest level of the building.

· If there is no basement, go to an inner hallway or a smaller inner room without windows, such as a bathroom or closet.

· Get away from the windows.

· Go to the center of the room. Stay away from corners because they tend to attract debris.

· Get under a piece of sturdy furniture, such as a workbench or heavy table or desk, and hold on to it.

· Use your arms to protect your head and neck, or use a heavy blanket, pillow, etc., to help protect you and to cover your head.

· If you are in a mobile home, get out and find shelter elsewhere.

At work or school:

· Go to the basement or to an inside hallway at the lowest level.

· Avoid places with wide-span roofs, such as auditoriums, cafeterias, large hallways, or shopping malls.

· Get under a piece of sturdy furniture, such as a workbench or heavy table or desk, and hold on to it.

· Use your arms to protect your head and neck.

Outdoors:

· If possible, get inside a building.

· If shelter is not available or there is no time to get indoors, lie in a ditch or low-lying area or crouch near a strong building. Be aware of the potential for flooding.

· Use your arms to protect your head and neck.

In a car:

§ Never try to out-drive a tornado in a car or truck. Tornadoes can change direction quickly and can lift and toss your vehicle through the air.

§ Leave the car immediately, and take shelter in a nearby building.

§ If there is no time to get indoors, get out of the car and lie in a ditch or low-lying area away from the vehicle. Be aware of the potential for flooding.

After

• Help injured or trapped persons
• Give first aid when appropriate. Don’t move the seriously injured unless they are in immediate danger of further injury. Call for help.
• Turn on radio or television to get the latest information.
• Stay out of damaged buildings. Return home only when authorities say it is safe.
• Use the telephone only for emergency calls.
• Clean up spilled medicines, bleach, gasoline, or other flammable liquids immediately. Leavec the building if you smell gas or chemical fumes.
• Take pictures of damage to the house and its contents for insurance purposes.
• Remember to help neighbors who may require special assistance like people with infants, the elderly, and people with disabilities.