<p>Tornadoes are nature’s most violent
storms. Spawned from powerful thunderstorms, tornadoes can cause fatalities
and devastate a neighborhood in seconds. A tornado appears as a rotating,
funnel-shaped cloud that extends from a thunderstorm to the ground with
whirling winds that can reach 300 miles per hour. Damage paths can be
in excess of one mile wide and 50 miles long. </p><p>Some tornadoes are clearly visible, while
rain or nearby low-hanging clouds obscure others. Occasionally, tornadoes
develop so rapidly that little, if any, advance warning is possible.
Before a tornado hits, the wind may die down and the air may become
very still. A cloud of debris can mark the location of a tornado even
if a funnel is not visible. Tornadoes generally occur near the trailing
edge of a thunderstorm. It is not uncommon to see clear, sunlit skies
behind a tornado.</p><p>The following are facts about tornadoes:</p><ul><li>They may strike quickly, with
little or no warning. </li><li>They may appear nearly transparent
until dust and debris are picked up or a cloud forms in the funnel. </li><li>The average tornado moves
Southwest to Northeast, but tornadoes have been known to move in any
direction. </li><li>The average forward speed
of a tornado is 30 MPH, but may vary from stationary to 70 MPH. </li><li>Peak tornado season in the
southern states is March through May.  A second tornado season
occurs during the months of November and December.</li><li>Tornadoes are most likely
to occur between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m., but can occur at any time. </li></ul><h1><strong>Know Your Tornado Terms</strong></h1><p>Familiarize yourself with these terms
to help identify a tornado hazard:</p><p><strong>Tornado Watch</strong> <br />
A Tornado Watch means that tornadoes are possible. Remain alert for
approaching storms. Watch the sky and stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio,
commercial radio, or television for information.</p><p><strong>Tornado Warning</strong> <br />
A Tornado Warning means that a tornado has been sighted or indicated
by weather radar. Take shelter immediately. <br /> </p><p><strong>What to do Before a Tornado</strong></p><p>Be alert to changing weather conditions.</p><ul><li>Listen to <a href="http://www.weather.gov/nwr/">NOAA Weather Radio</a>
or to commercial radio or television newscasts for the latest information. </li><li>Look for approaching storms </li><li>Look for the following danger
signs: <ul><li>Dark, often greenish sky </li><li>Large hail </li><li>A large, dark, low-lying cloud
(particularly if rotating) </li><li>Loud roar, similar to a freight
train. </li></ul></li></ul><p>If you see approaching storms or any
of the danger signs, be prepared to take shelter immediately.</p><p><strong>What to Do During a Tornado</strong></p><p>If you are under a TORNADO WARNING, seek
shelter immediately!</p><a name="0.9_table01"></a><div><ul><ul><table border="4"><tbody><tr><td><table><tbody><tr valign="top"></tr><td><strong>If you
are in:</strong></td>
<td><strong>Then:</strong></td></tbody><tr valign="top"><td>A structure (house,
small building, school, nursing home, hospital, factory, shopping center,
high-rise building)</td>
<td>Go to a pre-designated shelter area
such as a safe room, basement, storm cellar, or the lowest building
level. If there is no basement, go to the center of an interior room
on the lowest level (closet, interior hallway) away from corners, windows,
doors, and outside walls. Put as many walls as possible between you
and the outside. Get under a sturdy table and use your arms to protect
your head and neck. Do not open windows. </td></tr><tr valign="top"><td>A vehicle, trailer,
or mobile home</td>
<td>Get out immediately and go to the lowest
floor of a sturdy, nearby building or a storm shelter. Mobile homes,
even if tied down, offer little protection from tornadoes.</td></tr><tr valign="top"><td>Outside with no shelter</td>
<td>Lie flat in a ditch or depression and
cover your head with your hands. Be aware of the potential for flooding. <br />
<br />
Do not get under an overpass or bridge. You are safer in a low, flat
location. <br />
<br />
Never try to outrun a tornado in urban or congested areas in a car or
truck. Instead, leave the vehicle immediately for safe shelter. <br />
<br />
Watch out for flying debris. Flying debris from tornadoes causes most
fatalities and injuries. </td></tr></table></td></td></tr></tbody></table></ul></ul></div><p><strong>Recovering from Disaster</strong></p><p>Recovering from a disaster is usually
a gradual process. Safety is a primary issue, as are mental and physical
well-being. If assistance is available, knowing how to access it makes
the process faster and less stressful. This section offers some general
advice on steps to take after disaster strikes in order to begin getting
your home, your community, and your life back to normal.</p><h1><strong>Ensure your safety</strong></h1><p>Your first concern after a disaster is
your family’s health and safety. You need to consider possible safety
issues and monitor family health and well-being.</p><h2><strong><em>Aiding the Injured</em></strong></h2><p>Check for injuries. Do not attempt to
move seriously injured persons unless they are in immediate danger of
death or further injury. If you must move an unconscious person, first
stabilize the neck and back, then call for help immediately.</p><ul><li>If the victim is not breathing,
carefully position the victim for artificial respiration, clear the
airway, and commence mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. </li><li>Maintain body temperature
with blankets. Be sure the victim does not become overheated. </li><li>Never try to feed liquids
to an unconscious person. </li></ul><h2><strong><em>Health</em></strong></h2><ul><li>Be aware of exhaustion. Don’t
try to do too much at once. Set priorities and pace yourself. Get enough
rest. </li><li>Drink plenty of clean water..
Eat well.. Wear sturdy work boots and gloves. </li><li>Wash your hands thoroughly
with soap and clean water often when working in debris. </li></ul><h2><strong><em>Safety Issues</em></strong></h2><ul><li>Be aware of new safety issues
created by the disaster. Watch for washed out roads, contaminated buildings,
contaminated water, gas leaks, broken glass, damaged electrical wiring,
and slippery floors. </li><li>Inform local authorities about
health and safety issues, including chemical spills, downed power lines,
washed out roads, smoldering insulation, and dead animals. </li></ul><h1><strong>Recovering From A Tornado</strong></h1><h1><strong><em>Returning Home</em></strong></h1><p><a name="0.9_01000001"></a>Returning home can be
both physically and mentally challenging. Above all, use caution.</p><ul><li>Keep a battery-powered radio
with you so you can listen for emergency updates and news reports.</li><li>Use a battery-powered flash
light to inspect a damaged home. <br />
Note: The flashlight should be turned on outside before entering - the
battery may produce a spark that could ignite leaking gas, if present.</li><li>Watch out for animals, especially
poisonous snakes. Use a stick to poke through debris.</li><li>Use the phone only to report
life-threatening emergencies.</li><li>Stay off the streets. If you
must go out, watch for fallen objects; downed electrical wires; and
weakened walls, bridges, roads, and sidewalks. </li></ul><h2><a name="0.9_01000002"></a><strong><em>Before You Enter
Your Home</em></strong></h2><p>Walk carefully around the outside and
check for loose power lines, gas leaks, and structural damage. If you
have any doubts about safety, have your residence inspected by a qualified
building inspector or structural engineer before entering.</p><p><strong>Do not enter if:</strong></p><ul><li>You smell gas. </li><li>Floodwaters remain around
the building. </li><li>Your home was damaged by fire
and the authorities have not declared it safe. </li></ul><h2><a name="0.9_01000003"></a><strong><em>Going Inside Your
Home</em></strong></h2><p>When you go inside your home, there are
certain things you should and should not do. Enter the home carefully
and check for damage. Be aware of loose boards and slippery floors.
The following items are other things to check inside your home:</p><ul><li><strong>Natural gas.</strong> If you
smell gas or hear a hissing or blowing sound, open a window and leave
immediately. Turn off the main gas valve from the outside, if you can.
Call the gas company from a neighbor’s residence. If you shut off
the gas supply at the main valve, you will need a professional to turn
it back on. Do not smoke or use oil, gas lanterns, candles, or torches
for lighting inside a damaged home until you are sure there is no leaking
gas or other flammable materials present.</li></ul>
<br /><ul><li><strong>Sparks, broken or frayed
wires.</strong> Check the electrical system unless you are wet, standing
in water, or unsure of your safety. If possible, turn off the electricity
at the main fuse box or circuit breaker. If the situation is unsafe,
leave the building and call for help. Do not turn on the lights until
you are sure they’re safe to use. You may want to have an electrician
inspect your wiring.</li><li><strong>Roof, foundation, and chimney
cracks.</strong> If it looks like the building may collapse, leave immediately.</li><li><strong>Appliances.</strong> If appliances
are wet, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker.
Then, unplug appliances and let them dry out. Have appliances checked
by a professional before using them again. Also, have the electrical
system checked by an electrician before turning the power back on.</li><li><strong>Water and sewage systems.</strong>
If pipes are damaged, turn off the main water valve. Check with local
authorities before using any water; the water could be contaminated.
Pump out wells and have the water tested by authorities before drinking.
Do not flush toilets until you know that sewage lines are intact.</li><li><strong>Food and other supplies.</strong>
Throw out all food and other supplies that you suspect may have become
contaminated or come in to contact with floodwater. If your basement
has flooded, pump it out gradually (about one third of the water per
day) to avoid damage. The walls may collapse and the floor may buckle
if the basement is pumped out while the surrounding ground is still
waterlogged.</li><li><strong>Clean up household chemical
spills.</strong> Disinfect items that may have been contaminated by raw sewage,
bacteria, or chemicals. Also clean salvageable items.</li><li><strong>Call your insurance agent.</strong>
Take pictures of damages. Keep good records of repair and cleaning costs. </li></ul><h1><strong>Seeking Disaster Assistance</strong></h1><h1>Call your local Emergency Management
Agency. In Limestone County, that phone number is (256) 232-2631.
You will need to report your damage to the EMA. They can also
assist you in taking care of your immediate needs, such as shelter,
food, and clothing.</h1>Throughout the recovery period, it is
important to monitor local radio or television reports and other media
sources for information.
2008-03-05T15:04:15-06:00
13
Tornado
2008-03-05T15:04:15-06:00