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TORNADO SAFETY INFORMATION

Abbeville 911 Is On The Line !!!!

Castleton, KS tornado - 1990 Tornadoes have occurred during every month of the year. However, statistics show April, May, and June are the peak months for tornado activity.   These months also give thunderstorm activity. The National Weather Service will provide various watches and warnings to keep the citizens informed of conditions.  A tornado is a violently rotating column of air in contact with the ground. If you see a debris cloud under a thunderstorm, you have a tornado. You may see funnels dropping from a cloud, but it does not become a tornado until it touches the ground.

Explaination of terms used by The National Weather Service

Severe Thunderstorm Watch: Issued by the Storm Prediction Center.
This type of watch is issued when atmospheric conditions are favorable for severe thunderstorms to develop. Stay alert and keep your eyes on the sky for weather conditions to deteriorate.

Severe Thunderstorm Warning: A severe thunderstorm has been detected by radar or by a trained weather spotter. Severe thunderstorms produce hail that is 3/4 inch or larger in diameter and/or winds in excess of 58 miles per hour. Tornadoes can be spawned from severe thunderstorms. You need to take cover immediately from these storms. They are very dangerous.

Tornado Watch: Issued by the Storm Prediction Center.
Conditions are favorable for the development of tornadoes in and close to the watch area. Watches are usually in effect for several hours.

Tornado Warning: A tornado has been indicated by radar or sited by trained storm spotters. The warning will include where the tornado is seen or indicated and what communities are in its path. When a tornado warning has been issued for your area, take cover immediately.

 

The safest places to go for shelter

At Home: In your basement under something sturdy (such as a workbench) or under the stairs. If you don't have a basement, the best place is a small, windowless room near the center of your apartment or house. A closet or bathroom is ideal. Stay away from windows.

At School or Work: Go to a designated shelter. If there is no time, crouch under your desk or seek shelter in a closet or bathroom. Stay away from exterior walls and windows. Also stay away from large open rooms (auditorium or gym).

In Shopping Malls: Go to the designated areas or to the center of the building on a low level. Stay away from large, open rooms and windows. NEVER seek shelter in cars in the parking lot.

Outside, In Mobile Homes or Cars: Go into the nearest building, store, or garage. DO NOT SEEK SHELTER IN YOUR VEHICLE. If you are driving and find a tornado is moving toward you, leave your vehicle and lie down in a low area (a ditch). Cover the back of your head and neck with your hands to protect yourself from severe head injury.

 

After the storm passes

  1. Keep calm.
  2. Check people around you for injuries and give first aid, if necessary.
  3. ALWAYS cooperate with local authorities.
  4. Check utility lines and appliances for damage.
  5. If you smell gas, open the windows and turn off the main valve.
    Don't turn on lights or appliances until the gas has dissipated.
  6. If electric wires are shorting out, turn off the power.
  7. When you go outside, watch out for downed power lines.
  8. Clean and dry your furniture, bedding, rugs, and carpeting as soon as possible.
  9. Board up windows and holes in the walls or roof.

 

 

 


 

 

 

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Last modified: March 17, 2002