Tornado Safety

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The most important aspect of tornado safety is to plan ahead. Practice your severe weather plan at home, the office and at school before a storm hits so that if and when severe weather strikes, you are ready to take action.

A tornado watch means that atmospheric conditions are favorable for severe thunderstorms and for the formation of funnel clouds and tornadoes. Be alert for sudden weather changes, monitor weather reports and be prepared to take cover.

A tornado warning means that a funnel cloud or tornado has been sighted or indicated by radar. Seek shelter immediately. A warning will prompt the severe weather sirens to sound.

If a tornado warning is issued for your area, here are some tips to keep you as safe as possible.

While inside:

Go as far in and as far down as you can in your building. Get away from windows and exterior walls. A basement or crawl space is ideal.
A first floor bathroom, inside the bathtub, can work as well as a hallway. With this said, never go upstairs to take cover during a tornado warning.
If you live in a mobile home, go to the designated shelter or a sturdy nearby building.

While outside:

Try to get inside a building as soon as possible.
Your last resort would be to lie down in a ditch (to avoid as much flying debris as possible).

When it comes to tornado safety, preparation is key. Always stay up to date on the latest forecast with the 13abc Storm Team, Live Doppler 13000, 13abc.com, our 13-3 channel, Facebook, Twitter, and our app for the iPhone and Android devices. Knowledge is power.