Tornadoes can appear without much advanced warning and are often hard to see because of rain and hail, or hills and trees. Cobb Country, Fulton County, and Gwinnett County are the top three counties for tornadoes in Georgia. Staying safe and being prepared in the Southeast is a matter of survival!
As in any emergency, the best thing is to be prepared and have a plan in place before the situation occurs. Once you formulate your plan, make sure your family members or everyone in your household or place of business is aware of what to do. You may also want to run a few emergency drills, especially if you have young children or mobility issues. Go through your emergency plan a few times so that you are comfortable with what to do, where to go and how you will get there.
When a storm gets severe or the weather pattern indicates a tornado may occur, public safety officials issue tornado watches and tornado warnings. It is important to know the difference between these:
A Tornado Watch means you should stay alert – there is not an imminent threat of a tornado, but weather conditions could develop into thunderstorms that produce tornadoes. Keep an eye on weather alerts and stay informed in case the watch turns into a warning.
A Tornado Warning means you should take action and take shelter. Authorities have determined that an approaching thunderstorm is capable of producing a tornado and/or a tornado has been detected and there is imminent threat to life and property. Take shelter as soon as possible. Get your family and pets to a basement or interior room of your house.
Some signs that may alert you to an approaching tornado are blowing debris and flying objects, a large funnel cloud, or the roaring sound similar to a freight train.
What to Do During a Tornado
During any emergency, follow directions from the local emergency services officials. This will keep everyone in the community as safe as possible. With weather-related emergencies, like tornadoes, track weather updates via radio, TV, or weather apps, depending on where you are.
If you have storm shutters, close and secure them.
If you have a storm cellar or a safe room, it’s a good idea to get there quickly. Monitor weather conditions and follow weather and emergency service directions. FEMA lists safe room resources to help people build or install these shelters.
If you are in a home or building, move to the lowest floor, or into an interior room, closet or bathroom or hallway. A windowless area is best. If you can, shelter under heavy furniture or blankets. Your goal at this time is to put as many walls and barriers as possible between you and the tornado.
If you live in, or are working in a high-rise building when a tornado occurs, you may not have time to get to the lowest floor and/or elevators may not be working. Find a hallway, small room, or closet in the center of the building and shelter there. Again shelter under something heavy.
Avoid windows and exterior doors.
Do not try to run away from a tornado in your car – stay where you are. If you are outside, get to the lowest point you can find, such as a ditch. Since tornados involves storms, be careful in case of flooding; cover your head with your hands or blankets.
If you are in a mobile home, try to leave when the weather is in the Tornado Watch phase; mobile homes are not a safe place to stay. Find a sturdy building and go to the lowest floor.
Stay informed and have multiple ways to receive alerts. Listen to the NOAA Weather Radio, local radio, TV broadcasts, and monitor weather apps. Consider using the Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) emergency text system (offered free by wireless carriers). The National Weather Services sends WEA messages regarding tornados, severe thunderstorms, flash floods, hurricanes, typhoons, and other severe weather events.
Visit the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency’s website for a variety of ways to stay up-to-date and receive the latest weather alerts and warnings.
Keep back up batteries on hand, both for flashlights and radios as well as your mobile phone or other devices. Make sure your external back up power is charged.
After the Tornado Has Passed
Wait until it is confirmed that the tornado has passed.
Cooperate with public safety officials.
Be safe and use caution when returning to your home or going outside; wear sturdy shoes, long-sleeved shirts and pants.
Be watchful for and stay away from downed power lines and other hazards.
Use flashlights rather than candles.
If your home or property is damaged, file a report to your insurance company as soon as you can.
Consider installing storm shutters on your windows.
For a comprehensive guide on how to keep yourself and your family safe or to how get help, the Centers for Disease Control’s Safety Guidelines: After a Tornado is a great resource.
After surviving a tornado, it’s normal to feel stressed, anxious, and worried. Be patient with yourself and others and remember that help and resources may take time to get to you. Eat and stay hydrated, get rest and call or text the Disaster Distress Helpline for free if you need to talk to someone.
Rapid Solutions
Rapid International provides security services, including staffed areas and patrol services, in partnership with your community. We work to make people and communities safe and secure. Please get in touch, we’d love to help you make your community safer and more secure. In Georgia, call: (706) 844-2586, in California call: (213) 364-1394 or email us at info@therapidway.com.
Photo courtesy of CNN.
By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.
Benjamin Franklin
IG: rapidgroup.ga | Linked In: Rapid International Group, Inc.
