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Tornado
Facts
- A tornado is a violently rotating column of wind that extends from a thunderstorm to the ground.
- Tornadoes may appear nearly transparent until dust and debris are picked up or a cloud forms in the funnel. Rain or clouds may also hide tornadoes.
- Tornadoes may strike quickly and without warning.
- Tornadoes occur most frequently in the spring and early summer.
- Tornadoes are most likely to occur between 3 and 9 p.m., but can happen anytime.
- The average tornado moves from southwest to northeast, but tornadoes can move in any direction.
- The average forward speed is 30 mph, but vary from nearly stationary to over 200 mph.
- In an average year, 1,200 tornadoes cause 70 deaths and 1,500 injuries nationwide.
Know the Terms
- Tornado WATCH means a tornado is possible. Remain alert for approaching storms.
- Tornado WARNING means a tornado has been sighted and may be headed for your area. Seek shelter immediately!
- Watches and warnings are issued by county.
Get Prepared for a Tornado
- Learn about your community’s tornado warning system.
- Pick a safe place in your home to gather during a tornado. The safest place to be is underground, or as low to the ground as possible, and away from all windows. If you are in a high-rise building, pick a place in a hallway in the center of the building.
- If you live in a mobile home, choose a safe place in a nearby sturdy building.
- Make an emergencies supplies kit.
- Watch for signs of a tornado when the season, conditions or weather forecast indicate the potential for tornadoes to form.
- Practice tornado drills with your family.
- Learn the tornado emergency plans at work and your children's school and day care center.
- Prepare your family for a tornado.
Prepare Your Property
- Make a list of items to bring inside in the event of a storm.
- Keep trees and shrubbery trimmed. Strong winds frequently break weak limbs and hurl them at great speed, causing damage or injury when they hit.
- Remove any debris or loose items in your yard.
- Consider installing permanent shutters to cover windows.
- Strengthen garage doors.
During a Tornado Watch
- Stay informed. Listen to local radio or television stations for updates.
- Bring pets inside. Shelter animals.
- Be prepared to go to your tornado safe place.
Look for signs of a tornado:
- Dark, often greenish clouds
- Wall cloud - large, dark, low-lying cloud (particularly if rotating)
- Large hail
- Cloud of debris
- Funnel cloud
- Roaring noise, similar to a freight train
During a Tornado Warning
Stay informed. Listen to local radio or television stations on battery powered radios or TVs for updates.
If inside:
- Take your family and pets to your safe place. The safest place is the interior part of a basement. If no basement, go to the center of an inside room on the lowest level possible. Avoid sheltering where heavy objects such a pianos or refrigerators are on the floor directly above you.
- Get under a sturdy piece of furniture and hold onto it with one hand.
- Use your other arm and hand to protect your head and neck from falling or flying objects.
- If possible, cover your body with a blanket, sleeping bag or mattress.
- If there is no time to get to a shelter or low level, get under a door frame or against something that will support or deflect falling debris.
- Stay away from windows, mirrors and glass doors.
- Avoid elevators. The power may fail, leaving you trapped.
- Watch out for flying debris.
If in a mobile home:
- Get out immediately and go to the lowest floor of nearby building or storm shelter.
- Mobile homes, even if tied down, offer little protection from a tornado.
If in a vehicle:
- Stop your vehicle safely and go to the lowest floor of nearby building or storm shelter.
- If shelter is not available, follow directions for seeking shelter outdoors.
- Do not try to outrun a tornado in your car.
If outdoors with no shelter:
- Avoid vehicles and areas with many trees.
- Do not get under an overpass or bridge.
- Lie flat in a nearby ditch or low spot on the ground. Beware of the potential for flooding.
- Protect your head and neck with an object or your arms.
- Watch out for flying debris.
After a Tornado
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Stay informed. Listen to local radio or television stations for information.
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Help yourself, then others.
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Give first aid and get help for injured or trapped persons.
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Help people who require special assistance.
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Watch out for fallen power lines or broken gas lines and report them to the utility company immediately. Do not touch downed power lines or objects in contact with downed lines.
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Avoid damaged areas and buildings.
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If you are away from home, return only when authorities say it is safe.
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Wear sturdy shoes or boots, long pants, a long-sleeved shirt and gloves when handling or walking on or near debris.
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Use battery-powered flashlights or lanterns when examining buildings. DO NOT USE CANDLES to avoid risk of fire or explosion.
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Examine walls, floors, doors, staircases, and windows to make sure that the building is not in danger of collapsing.
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Look for fire hazards. Clean up spilled medications, bleaches, gasoline or other flammable liquids.
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Check for gas leaks. If you smell gas, hear a blowing or hissing noise or suspect a leak, open a windows and get everyone out quickly. Turn off the gas using the outside main valve if you can, and call the gas company from a neighbor's home.
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Watch for loose plaster, drywall and ceilings that could fall.
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Beware of exposed nails, broken glass and other debris.
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Take pictures of the damage, both the building and its contents for insurance claims.
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Use the telephone for emergency calls only.
- Watch your animals closely.
Learn More
- Tornadoes (Ready America)
- Tornado (FEMA)
- Tornado (American Red Cross)
- Tornadoes (CDC)
- Tornado FAQ (National Weather Service)
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Source: Talking About Disaster: Guide for Standard Messages. Washington, D.C., 2007.
Information is not intended to be a substitute for appropriate medical advice. Links to external sites do not constitute endorsements by Macomb County.
